
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
Tobacco Basslet
Shortnose Unicornfish
Zigzag Wrasse
Speckled Blue Grouper
Redfin Fairy Wrasse
Seale’s Cardinalfish
Sohal Tang
Indian Ocean Sailfin Tang
Moon Wrasse
Orbiculate Cardinalfish
Magnificent Rabbitfish
Arabian Picasso Triggerfish
Blue Tang
Allen’s Wrasse
Stark’s Tilefish
Radiant Wrasse
Bird Wrasse
Messmate Pipefish
Bluelined Hind
Herald’s Angelfish
Blackfin Hogfish
Orange-Lined Cardinalfish
Convict Tang
Powder Blue Surgeonfish
Yellow Tang
Rectangle Triggerfish
Fourline Wrasse
Tail-spot wrasse
Yellowtail Coris Wrasse
Spanish Hogfish
Twospot Cardinalfish
Whitecheek Tang
Peacock Wrasse
Sixbar Wrasse
Pajama Cardinalfish
Orange-Spotted Spinefoot
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....
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....
Flashing Tilefish
Checkerboard Wrasse
Banded Pipefish
Lubbock’s Fairy Wrasse
Coral Grouper
Coral Beauty Angelfish
Diana’s Hogfish
Ochre-striped Cardinalfish
Mimic Tang
Powder Brown Surgeonfish
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...
Purple Tilefish
Sixline Soapfish
Clown Wrasse
Spotfin Hogfish
Threadfin Cardinalfish
Purple Tang
Blue Throat Triggerfish
Halfmoon Triggerfish
Foxface Rabbitfish
Coral 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...
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
Blackeye Thicklip Wrasse
Yellow Coris Wrasse
Kole Tang
Harlequin Tuskfish
Peacock Grouper
Marine Betta
Axilspot Hogfish
Blue-Spotted Wrasse
Orange Shoulder Tang
Atlantic Blue Tang
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
White-streaked Grouper
Solar Fairy Wrasse
Queen Triggerfish
Spotted Wrasse
Brown Tang
Lyretail Grouper
Belted Wrasse
One Spot Foxface Rabbitfish
Blackbelly 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...