
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
Rectangle Triggerfish
Long-Spined Pufferfish
Queen Triggerfish
Twospot Cardinalfish
Purple Tang
Lyretail Grouper
Blackbelly Triggerfish
Blue Tang
Kole Tang
Five-lined Cardinalfish
Half Black Angelfish
Compressed Toby
Black-Spotted Pufferfish
Narrow-Lined Pufferfish
Indian Ocean Mimic Tang
Lined Surgeonfish
Achilles Tang
Yellow Tang
Shortnose Unicornfish
Valentini Puffer
Starry Pufferfish
Threadfin Cardinalfish
Brown Tang
Halfmoon Triggerfish
Arabian Picasso Triggerfish
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....
Humpback Grouper
Bluelined Hind
Herald’s Angelfish
Ambon Puffer
Guineafowl Pufferfish
Masked Pufferfish
Convict Tang
Powder Blue Surgeonfish
Sargassum Triggerfish
White-streaked Grouper
Caribbean Sharpnose Puffer
White-Spotted Pufferfish
Sohal Tang
Indian Ocean Sailfin Tang
Orbiculate Cardinalfish
Picasso Triggerfish
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...
Messmate Pipefish
Coral Grouper
Coral Beauty Angelfish
Lyretail Hogfish
Map Pufferfish
Orange-Lined Cardinalfish
Mimic Tang
Powder Brown Surgeonfish
Tobacco Basslet
Speckled Blue Grouper
Hawaiian Whitespotted Toby
Seale’s Cardinalfish
Whitecheek Tang
Blue Throat Triggerfish
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...