
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.
Yellowtail Coris Wrasse
Vagabond Butterflyfish
Rainford’s Butterflyfish
Threadfin Butterflyfish
Sohal Tang
Longnose Hawkfish
Bicolor Cleaner Wrasse
Blackeye Thicklip Wrasse
Bird Wrasse
Redbarred Hawkfish
Copperband Butterflyfish
Fourspot Butterflyfish
Collare Butterflyfish
Half Black Angelfish
Blackfin Hogfish
Mimic Tang
Clown Wrasse
Teardrop Butterflyfish
Spotband Butterflyfish
Spanish Hogfish
Whitecheek Tang
Bluespine Unicorn Tang
Overview Found in the Indo-Pacific region. Known for their distinctive long horn-like protrusion on their forehead, which develops with age. They have a laterally compressed body and a lunate tail. Unicorn tangs are active swimmers and often seen grazing on algae....
Flashing Tilefish
Dusky Wrasse
Big Longnose Butterflyfish
Coral Hawkfish
Pacific Double-Saddle Butterflyfish
Merten’s Butterflyfish
Burgess’ Butterflyfish
Herald’s Angelfish
Diana’s Hogfish
Orange Shoulder Tang
Spotted Hawkfish
Tinker’s Butterflyfish
Raccoon Butterflyfish
Spotfin Hogfish
Sixbar Wrasse
Naso Tang
Overview Found in the Indo-Pacific region. Known for their distinctive appearance, including a prominent nose horn (more developed in males) and vibrant coloration. They have a laterally compressed body and a lunate tail. Naso tangs are active swimmers and often seen...
Horned Bannerfish
Checkerboard Wrasse
Swallowtail Hawkfish
Falco Hawkfish
Golden Butterflyfish
Blackback Butterflyfish
Blacktail Butterflyfish
Coral Beauty Angelfish
Axilspot Hogfish
Lined Surgeonfish
Pearlscale Butterflyfish
Mirror Butterflyfish
Saddleback Butterflyfish
Spotted Wrasse
Belted Wrasse
Hawaiian Cleaner Wrasse
Overview Found in the Indo-Pacific region. Known for their role in cleaning other fish by removing parasites. They have a slender body and a distinctive swimming pattern. Cleaner wrasses establish cleaning stations on the reef. Feeding They are primarily carnivores....