
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.
Sailfin Tang
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...
Fourline Wrasse
Tail-spot wrasse
Spotted Hawkfish
Spotfin Hogfish
Spotted Wrasse
Brown Tang
Sixbar Wrasse
Foxface Rabbitfish
Coral Rabbitfish
Blue Tang
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...
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...
Cleaner Wrasse
Radiant Wrasse
Bird Wrasse
Coral Hawkfish
Five-lined Cardinalfish
Split-Level Hogfish
Orange-Lined Cardinalfish
Convict Tang
Powder Blue Surgeonfish
Yellow Tang
Sixline Wrasse
Overview Native to the Indo-Pacific, commonly found in coral reefs and rocky lagoons. Distinctive appearance with vibrant purple-blue body marked by six horizontal orange-red lines. Popular in aquariums for its active behavior and pest control, known to feed on small...
Purple Tilefish
Sixline Soapfish
Solar Fairy Wrasse
Seale’s Cardinalfish
Sohal Tang
Indian Ocean Sailfin Tang
Belted Wrasse
One Spot Foxface Rabbitfish
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...
Longnose Filefish
Helfrich’s Firefish
Peacock Wrasse
Bicolor Cleaner Wrasse
Checkerboard Wrasse
Swallowtail Hawkfish
Falco Hawkfish
Half Black Angelfish
Blackfin Hogfish
Ochre-striped Cardinalfish
Mimic Tang
Powder Brown Surgeonfish
Barhead Spinefoot
Striated Wrasse
Overview Native to the Indo-Pacific region, typically inhabiting coral-rich reefs and rocky areas. Characterized by its slender, reddish body with horizontal white stripes and iridescent blue markings on the face and fins. Known for being shy and secretive, often seen...
Marcos’ Wrasse
Yellowtail Coris Wrasse
Redfin Fairy Wrasse
Twospot Cardinalfish
Whitecheek Tang
Peacock Wrasse
Orbiculate Cardinalfish
Magnificent Rabbitfish
Banggai Cardinalfish
Overview Endemic to the Banggai Islands of Indonesia, typically inhabiting shallow reefs and seagrass beds. Recognizable for its distinctive silver body, bold black vertical stripes, and white spots. Calm and peaceful nature, making it suitable for community reef...
Longnose Hawkfish
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...
Allen’s Wrasse
Blackeye Thicklip Wrasse
Yellow Coris Wrasse
Kole Tang
Lubbock’s Fairy Wrasse
Herald’s Angelfish
Diana’s Hogfish
Blue-Spotted Wrasse
Orange Shoulder Tang
Atlantic Blue Tang
Zebra Dartfish
Shortnose Unicornfish
Zigzag Wrasse
Clown Wrasse
Spanish Hogfish
Threadfin Cardinalfish
Purple Tang
Moon Wrasse
Pajama Cardinalfish
Orange-Spotted Spinefoot
Filamented Flasher Wrasse
Overview Native to the Western Pacific Ocean. Known for the elongated filaments on the dorsal fin of males, used in their flashing displays. Small and slender-bodied, with vibrant coloration that intensifies during courtship. Peaceful and active, preferring reef...
Flame Hawkfish
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....
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....