Popular Saltwater Fish Species for your Aquarium
Here are some of the most popular saltwater fish species that are commonly kept in aquariums, each with unique characteristics and care requirements.
A common rule of thumb for how many marine fish you can keep in an aquarium is to allow 1 inch of fish per gallon of water; however, this can vary depending on the specific fish species and their size, with reef tanks generally requiring even more space per fish due to their larger waste output and need for swimming room.
Sargassum Triggerfish
Redcoat Squirrelfish
Singular Bannerfish
Yellow Longnose Butterflyfish
Teardrop Butterflyfish
Spotband Butterflyfish
Valentini Puffer
Starry Pufferfish
Halfmoon Triggerfish
Orange-Spotted Spinefoot
Blackbelly Triggerfish
Firefish Goby
Overview Found in the Indo-Pacific region. Known for their striking appearance with elongated dorsal and caudal fin rays, and vibrant coloration, typically red, white, and yellow. They have a slender body and a peaceful demeanor. Magnificent dartfish are often seen...
Horned Bannerfish
Copperband Butterflyfish
Latticed Butterflyfish
Meyer’s Butterflyfish
Lined Butterflyfish
Collare Butterflyfish
Eastern Triangle Butterflyfish
Coral Beauty Angelfish
Clown Triggerfish
Immaculate Pufferfish
Starry Dragonet
Rectangle Triggerfish
Red Sea bannerfish
Long-Spined Pufferfish
Tinker’s Butterflyfish
Raccoon Butterflyfish
Caribbean Sharpnose Puffer
White-Spotted Pufferfish
Foxface Rabbitfish
Coral Rabbitfish
Arabian Picasso Triggerfish
Helfrich’s Firefish
Pennant Bannerfish
Pacific Double-Saddle Butterflyfish
Fourspot Butterflyfish
Merten’s Butterflyfish
Orangeface Butterflyfish
Four-Eyed Butterflyfish
Blacktail Butterflyfish
Crowned Toby
Black-Spotted Pufferfish
Narrow-Lined Pufferfish
Spotted Mandarin
Zebra Dartfish
Schooling Bannerfish
Pearlscale Butterflyfish
Mirror Butterflyfish
Saddleback Butterflyfish
Hawaiian Whitespotted Toby
Blue Throat Triggerfish
One Spot Foxface Rabbitfish
Hawaiian Squirrelfish
Picasso Triggerfish
Decorated Dartfish
Overview Found in the Indo-Pacific region. Known for their elegant appearance with elongated dorsal fin rays and vibrant coloration, often including shades of purple, red, and white. They have a slender body and a peaceful demeanor. Decorated dartfish are often seen...
Big Longnose Butterflyfish
Melon Butterflyfish
Ornate Butterflyfish
Blackback Butterflyfish
Klein’s Butterflyfish
Burgess’ Butterflyfish
Half Black Angelfish
Compressed Toby
Guineafowl Pufferfish
Masked Pufferfish
Barhead Spinefoot
Scissortail Dartfish
Overview Native to the Indo-Pacific, commonly inhabiting reef slopes, lagoons, and sandy rubble areas. Recognizable by its slender body, pale bluish-grey coloration, and distinct black fins. Peaceful and shy nature, often observed hovering in open water above reefs or...
Pyramid Butterflyfish
Vagabond Butterflyfish
Rainford’s Butterflyfish
Threadfin Butterflyfish
Queen Triggerfish
Mandarin Dragonet
Magnificent Rabbitfish
Crown Squirrelfish
Blue Gudgeon
Overview Native to the Indo-Pacific region, frequently found over sand and rubble substrates near reefs. Distinctive slender body with a pale blue-green coloration and iridescent blue highlights along its sides. Known for peaceful and timid behavior, typically...
Darkfin Soldierfish
Overview Found in the Indo-Pacific region. Known for their reddish coloration and deep body shape, typical of soldierfish. They have large eyes, adapted for nocturnal activity. Shadowfin soldierfish are often found in caves or under ledges. Feeding They are nocturnal...
Fingered Dragonet
Golden Butterflyfish
Eightband Butterflyfish
Oval Butterflyfish
Saddleback Butterflyfish
Bennett’s Butterflyfish
Herald’s Angelfish
Ambon Puffer
