
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.
Barhead Spinefoot
Queen Angelfish
Pyramid Butterflyfish
Vermiculated Angelfish
Teardrop Butterflyfish
Spotband Butterflyfish
Whitetail Pygmy Angelfish
Hawaiian Whitespotted Toby
Twospot Cardinalfish
Foxface Rabbitfish
Coral Rabbitfish
Emperor Angelfish
Overview Native to the Indo-Pacific region, commonly found in coral-rich lagoons and seaward reefs. Famous for its striking coloration; juveniles have distinct blue, white, and black circular patterns, adults develop vivid yellow and blue stripes with a distinctive...
King Angelfish
Swallowtail Angelfish
Copperband Butterflyfish
Pacific Double-Saddle Butterflyfish
Fourspot Butterflyfish
Merten’s Butterflyfish
Orangeface Butterflyfish
Four-Eyed Butterflyfish
Blacktail Butterflyfish
Flame Angelfish
Coral Beauty Angelfish
African Flameback Angelfish
Marine Betta
Immaculate Pufferfish
Three-spot Angelfish
Regal Angelfish
Singular Bannerfish
Watanabe’s Angelfish
Scribbled Angelfish
Tinker’s Butterflyfish
Raccoon Butterflyfish
Rusty Angelfish
Starry Pufferfish
Threadfin Cardinalfish
One Spot Foxface Rabbitfish
Koran Angelfish
Overview Native to the Indo-Pacific region, commonly found around coral reefs and lagoon environments. Known for its vibrant blue-green body with distinctive semicircular patterns and intricate blue markings on the fins. Juveniles have bold blue, black, and white...
Arabian Angelfish
Overview Native to the Red Sea and western Indian Ocean, commonly inhabiting coral reefs and rocky reef slopes. Recognizable by its striking coloration: a deep blue-black body with a bold vertical yellow band and yellow tail fin. Juveniles display a unique coloration...
Blue Angelfish
Lamarck’s Angelfish
Five-lined Cardinalfish
Melon Butterflyfish
Ornate Butterflyfish
Blackback Butterflyfish
Klein’s Butterflyfish
Burgess’ Butterflyfish
Half Black Angelfish
Herald’s Angelfish
Bicolor Angelfish
Crowned Toby
Black-Spotted Pufferfish
Narrow-Lined Pufferfish
Orange-Lined Cardinalfish
Yellowbar Angelfish
Overview Native to the Red Sea, Persian Gulf, and northwestern Indian Ocean, typically found around coral reefs and rocky outcrops. Distinguished by its deep blue body, vibrant yellow vertical bar in the center, and blue-margined fins and tail. Juveniles display black...
Red Sea bannerfish
Yellow Longnose Butterflyfish
Pearlscale Butterflyfish
Mirror Butterflyfish
Saddleback Butterflyfish
Valentini Puffer
White-Spotted Pufferfish
Orbiculate Cardinalfish
Magnificent Rabbitfish
French Angelfish
Overview Native to the Western Atlantic, found in coral reefs from Florida, the Caribbean, and Brazil. Recognized for its dark body with golden-yellow scale edges, giving it a distinctive net-like appearance. Juveniles exhibit black bodies with vibrant yellow vertical...
Blue Ring Angelfish
Overview Native to the Indo-Pacific region, commonly found around coral-rich reefs and rocky structures. Identifiable by its beautiful blue-ringed pattern on a tan or yellowish body, with vibrant blue highlights around the fins and face. Adults and juveniles differ...
Horned Bannerfish
Big Longnose Butterflyfish
Black Velvet Angelfish
Golden Butterflyfish
Eightband Butterflyfish
Oval Butterflyfish
Saddleback Butterflyfish
Bennett’s Butterflyfish
Keyhole Angelfish
Lemonpeel Angelfish
Golden Angelfish
Compressed Toby
Guineafowl Pufferfish
Masked Pufferfish
Ochre-striped Cardinalfish
Rock Beauty
Schooling Bannerfish
Long-Spined Pufferfish
Vagabond Butterflyfish
Rainford’s Butterflyfish
Threadfin Butterflyfish
Caribbean Sharpnose Puffer
Seale’s Cardinalfish
Pajama Cardinalfish
Orange-Spotted Spinefoot
Majestic Angelfish
Overview Native to the Indo-Pacific region, commonly inhabiting coral reefs, lagoons, and reef slopes. Known as the Majestic Angelfish, recognized for its striking blue and yellow-orange coloration with intricate patterns. Juveniles have distinct black bodies with...