
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.
Ward’s Sleeper Goby
Red Lionfish
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
White-streaked Grouper
Fu Manchu Lionfish
Teardrop Butterflyfish
Spotband Butterflyfish
Rainford’s Goby
Wide-Banded Shrimp Goby
Radiata Lionfish
Helfrich’s Firefish
Pennant Bannerfish
Pink Speckled Shrimp Goby
Pacific Double-Saddle Butterflyfish
Fourspot Butterflyfish
Merten’s Butterflyfish
Orangeface Butterflyfish
Four-Eyed Butterflyfish
Blacktail Butterflyfish
Half Black Angelfish
Sleeper Banded Goby
The Golden Head Sleeper Goby
Russell’s Lionfish
Singular Bannerfish
Sharknose Goby
Speckled Blue Grouper
Yellow Watchman Goby
Tinker’s Butterflyfish
Raccoon Butterflyfish
Wheeler’s Shrimp Goby
Lyretail Grouper
Mombasa Lionfish
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...
Curious Wormfish
Humpback Grouper
Melon Butterflyfish
Ornate Butterflyfish
Blackback Butterflyfish
Klein’s Butterflyfish
Burgess’ Butterflyfish
Bluelined Hind
Herald’s Angelfish
Periophthalma Shrimp Goby
Twin-Spot Goby
Antennata Lionfish
Red Sea bannerfish
Yellow Clown Goby
Zebra Lionfish
Pearlscale Butterflyfish
Mirror Butterflyfish
Saddleback Butterflyfish
Steinitz’s Shrimp Goby
Diamond Goby
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...
Decorated Goby
Neon Goby
Pineapplefish
Golden Butterflyfish
Eightband Butterflyfish
Oval Butterflyfish
Saddleback Butterflyfish
Bennett’s Butterflyfish
Coral Grouper
Coral Beauty Angelfish
Spotted shrimp goby
Tobacco Basslet
Zebra Dartfish
Schooling Bannerfish
Yellow Longnose Butterflyfish
Dwarf Lionfish
Vagabond Butterflyfish
Rainford’s Butterflyfish
Threadfin Butterflyfish
Randall’s Shrimp Goby
Blackray Shrimp Goby
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...