
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.
Tobacco Basslet
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...
Marcos’ Wrasse
White-streaked Grouper
Fu Manchu Lionfish
Redfin Fairy Wrasse
Saddleback Clownfish
Peacock Wrasse
Belted Wrasse
Peacock Wrasse
Bicolor Cleaner Wrasse
Checkerboard Wrasse
Banded Pipefish
Lubbock’s Fairy Wrasse
Coral Grouper
Coral Beauty Angelfish
Diana’s Hogfish
Red Lionfish
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...
Zigzag Wrasse
Speckled Blue Grouper
Yellowtail Coris Wrasse
Spanish Hogfish
Cinnamon Clownfish
Lyretail Grouper
Radiata Lionfish
Allen’s Wrasse
Blackeye Thicklip Wrasse
Yellow Coris Wrasse
Humpback Grouper
Harlequin Tuskfish
Peacock Grouper
Marine Betta
Axilspot Hogfish
Russell’s Lionfish
Fourline Wrasse
Tail-spot wrasse
Zebra Lionfish
Clown Wrasse
Spotfin Hogfish
Tomato Clownfish
Moon Wrasse
Mombasa Lionfish
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....
Dusky Wrasse
Pastel Green Wrasse
Messmate Pipefish
Atlantic Spadefish
Half Black Angelfish
Split-Level Hogfish
Blue-Spotted Wrasse
Antennata Lionfish
Purple Tilefish
Sixline Soapfish
Dwarf Lionfish
Solar Fairy Wrasse
Spotted Wrasse
Saddleback Clownfish
Sixbar Wrasse
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...