
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
Vermiculated Angelfish
Teardrop Butterflyfish
Spotband Butterflyfish
Whitetail Pygmy Angelfish
One Spot Foxface Rabbitfish
Cortez Angelfish
Overview Native to the Eastern Pacific, primarily found along rocky reefs from the Gulf of California to Peru. Notable for its striking coloration, including a dark blue body with vertical yellow stripes and blue highlights on fins. Known for its bold and inquisitive...
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...
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...
Blue Angelfish
Web Burrfish
Blue-spotted Angelfish
Fourspot Butterflyfish
Collare Butterflyfish
Potter’s Angelfish
Bicolor Angelfish
Indian Yellowtail Angelfish
Regal Angelfish
Scribbled Angelfish
Tinker’s Butterflyfish
Raccoon Butterflyfish
Rusty Angelfish
Magnificent Rabbitfish
Blueface Angelfish
Overview Native to the Indo-Pacific region, typically found in coral-rich lagoons and reef slopes. Distinctive appearance featuring a yellow face with a vibrant blue mask, a pale body with blue scales, and blue highlights on fins and tail. Known for its bold,...
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...
Multi-barred Angelfish
Horned Bannerfish
Copperband Butterflyfish
Pacific Double-Saddle Butterflyfish
Merten’s Butterflyfish
Burgess’ Butterflyfish
Flame Angelfish
Golden Angelfish
Three-spot Angelfish
Sixbar Angelfish
Overview Native to the Indo-West Pacific, commonly found around coral-rich reefs and lagoons. Recognizable by its distinctive body marked with vertical black bars over a pale background, and vibrant blue highlights on fins. Known for a bold, territorial personality,...
Pearlscale Butterflyfish
Mirror Butterflyfish
Saddleback Butterflyfish
Blue Throat Triggerfish
Orange-Spotted Spinefoot
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...
Longnose Filefish
Pennant Bannerfish
Five-lined Cardinalfish
Golden Butterflyfish
Blackback Butterflyfish
Blacktail Butterflyfish
Lemonpeel Angelfish
Cherub Angelfish
Ochre-striped 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...
Vagabond Butterflyfish
Rainford’s Butterflyfish
Threadfin Butterflyfish
Foxface Rabbitfish
Coral 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...
Gray Angelfish
Overview Native to the Western Atlantic, commonly found near coral reefs and rocky outcroppings in the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico. Large angelfish with a dark gray body covered in lighter scale markings and a broad, crescent-shaped tail fin. Juveniles feature a...