
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
Regal Angelfish
Queen Angelfish
Scribbled Angelfish
Seale’s Cardinalfish
Mandarin Dragonet
Blackbelly Triggerfish
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...
Decorated Dartfish
Overview Found in the Indo-Pacific region. Known for their elegant appearance with elongated dorsal fin rays and vibrant coloration, often including shades of purple, red, and white. They have a slender body and a peaceful demeanor. Decorated dartfish are often seen...
Swallowtail Angelfish
Black Velvet Angelfish
Potter’s Angelfish
Eibli Angelfish
Cherub Angelfish
Indian Yellowtail Angelfish
Starry Dragonet
Zebra Dartfish
Spiny Seahorse
Whitetail Pygmy Angelfish
Twospot Cardinalfish
Halfmoon Triggerfish
Arabian Picasso Triggerfish
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...
Multi-barred Angelfish
King Angelfish
Lamarck’s Angelfish
Blue-spotted Angelfish
Flame Angelfish
Coral Beauty Angelfish
African Flameback Angelfish
Three-spot Angelfish
Spotted Mandarin
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...
Watanabe’s Angelfish
Rusty Angelfish
Threadfin Cardinalfish
Orbiculate Cardinalfish
Picasso Triggerfish
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...
Firefish Goby
Overview Found in the Indo-Pacific region. Known for their striking appearance with elongated dorsal and caudal fin rays, and vibrant coloration, typically red, white, and yellow. They have a slender body and a peaceful demeanor. Magnificent dartfish are often seen...
Blue Angelfish
Fingered Dragonet
Half Black Angelfish
Herald’s Angelfish
Bicolor Angelfish
Lyretail Hogfish
Orange-Lined Cardinalfish
Rectangle Triggerfish
Rock Beauty
Vermiculated Angelfish
Queen Triggerfish
Blue Throat Triggerfish
Pajama Cardinalfish
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...