
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
Bicolor Dottyback
Overview Native to the Indo-Pacific region, commonly found inhabiting coral reefs and rocky crevices. Distinctive two-tone coloration with a vibrant purple front half and bright yellow rear half. Popular aquarium species for its bright colors, active nature, and...
Yellowhead Jawfish
Overview Found in the western Atlantic Ocean, including the Caribbean Sea. Known for their bright yellow head and elongated body. They have a large mouth and are often seen hovering near their burrows. Yellowhead jawfish are peaceful and have a distinctive behavior of...
Marcos’ Wrasse
Yellowtail Coris Wrasse
Spanish Hogfish
Twospot Cardinalfish
Whitecheek Tang
Peacock Wrasse
Halfmoon Triggerfish
Blackbelly Triggerfish
Magenta Dottyback
Overview Native to the Western Pacific, commonly found inhabiting coral reefs and rocky crevices. Recognized by its striking magenta-purple coloration that can vary slightly in intensity. Known for its bold and territorial behavior, suitable for aquarists with some...
Blue Tang
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
Five-lined Cardinalfish
Marine Betta
Axilspot Hogfish
Ochre-striped Cardinalfish
Mimic Tang
Powder Brown Surgeonfish
Yellow Tang
Sunrise Dottyback
Overview Native to the Red Sea, typically found inhabiting coral reefs and rocky areas. Distinctive bright coloration featuring a vibrant blue body with a striking yellow-orange head and dorsal region. Known for its bold personality and territorial behavior, ideal for...
Shortnose Unicornfish
Zigzag Wrasse
Clown Wrasse
Spotfin Hogfish
Threadfin Cardinalfish
Purple Tang
Blue Throat Triggerfish
Belted Wrasse
Arabian Picasso Triggerfish
Orchid Dottyback
Overview Native to the Red Sea, often found in coral reefs and rocky crevices. Known for its vibrant, deep purple or orchid coloration, making it popular among marine aquarists. Displays bold, inquisitive behavior while being less aggressive compared to other...
Goldspecs Jawfish
Overview Found in various marine environments worldwide. Known for their characteristic large mouths and burrowing behavior. They have elongated bodies and are often colorful. Jawfish are peaceful and have a distinctive behavior of building and inhabiting burrows....
Peacock Wrasse
Bicolor Cleaner Wrasse
Checkerboard Wrasse
Kole Tang
Half Black Angelfish
Split-Level Hogfish
Lyretail Hogfish
Blue-Spotted Wrasse
Orange Shoulder Tang
Atlantic Blue Tang
Sargassum Triggerfish
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...
Fourline Wrasse
Tail-spot wrasse
Solar Fairy Wrasse
Queen Triggerfish
Spotted Wrasse
Brown Tang
Moon Wrasse
Orbiculate Cardinalfish
Picasso Triggerfish
Diadem Dottyback
Overview Native to the Indo-Pacific region, typically inhabiting coral reefs and rocky crevices. Distinctive coloration featuring a vivid purple body with a yellow dorsal stripe running from head to tail. Known for its bold and territorial nature, suitable for...
Rosenblatt’s Jawfish
Allen’s Wrasse
Blackeye Thicklip Wrasse
Yellow Coris Wrasse
Lubbock’s Fairy Wrasse
Herald’s Angelfish
Blackfin Hogfish
Clown Triggerfish
Indian Ocean Mimic Tang
Lined Surgeonfish
Achilles Tang
Rectangle Triggerfish
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...
Purple Tilefish
Sixline Soapfish
Redfin Fairy Wrasse
Seale’s Cardinalfish
Sohal Tang
Indian Ocean Sailfin Tang
Sixbar Wrasse
Pajama Cardinalfish
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...
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...
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....