
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.
Sargassum Triggerfish
Barhead Spinefoot
Tobacco Basslet
Redcoat Squirrelfish
Rectangle Triggerfish
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...
Fourline Wrasse
Purple Tilefish
Marcos’ Wrasse
Zigzag Wrasse
Tail-spot wrasse
Sixline Soapfish
White-streaked Grouper
Speckled Blue Grouper
Yellowtail Coris Wrasse
Clown Wrasse
Solar Fairy Wrasse
Redfin Fairy Wrasse
Spanish Hogfish
Spotfin Hogfish
Queen Triggerfish
Seale’s Cardinalfish
Twospot Cardinalfish
Threadfin Cardinalfish
Spotted Wrasse
Peacock Wrasse
Blue Throat Triggerfish
Lyretail Grouper
Moon Wrasse
Sixbar Wrasse
Halfmoon Triggerfish
Belted Wrasse
Orbiculate Cardinalfish
Pajama Cardinalfish
Foxface Rabbitfish
One Spot Foxface Rabbitfish
Magnificent Rabbitfish
Orange-Spotted Spinefoot
Coral Rabbitfish
Hawaiian Squirrelfish
Crown Squirrelfish
Blackbelly Triggerfish
Arabian Picasso Triggerfish
Picasso Triggerfish
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...
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....
Rosenblatt’s Jawfish
Darkfin Soldierfish
Overview Found in the Indo-Pacific region. Known for their reddish coloration and deep body shape, typical of soldierfish. They have large eyes, adapted for nocturnal activity. Shadowfin soldierfish are often found in caves or under ledges. Feeding They are nocturnal...
Peacock Wrasse
Allen’s 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....