
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
Purple Tilefish
Singular Bannerfish
Zigzag Wrasse
Yellow Longnose Butterflyfish
Clown Wrasse
Scribbled Angelfish
Tinker’s Butterflyfish
Raccoon Butterflyfish
Rusty Angelfish
Peacock Wrasse
Belted Wrasse
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...
Allen’s Wrasse
King Angelfish
Blackeye Thicklip Wrasse
Yellow Coris Wrasse
Lamarck’s Angelfish
Harlequin Tuskfish
Pacific Double-Saddle Butterflyfish
Fourspot Butterflyfish
Merten’s Butterflyfish
Orangeface Butterflyfish
Four-Eyed Butterflyfish
Blacktail Butterflyfish
Keyhole Angelfish
Eibli Angelfish
African Flameback Angelfish
Axilspot Hogfish
Regal Angelfish
Marcos’ Wrasse
Red Sea bannerfish
Tail-spot wrasse
White-streaked Grouper
Solar Fairy Wrasse
Pearlscale Butterflyfish
Mirror Butterflyfish
Saddleback Butterflyfish
Spanish Hogfish
Lyretail Grouper
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...
Helfrich’s Firefish
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....
Blue Angelfish
Dusky Wrasse
Pastel Green Wrasse
Big Longnose Butterflyfish
Copperband Butterflyfish
Melon Butterflyfish
Ornate Butterflyfish
Blackback Butterflyfish
Klein’s Butterflyfish
Burgess’ Butterflyfish
Bluelined Hind
Potter’s Angelfish
Bicolor Angelfish
Split-Level Hogfish
Indian Yellowtail Angelfish
Zebra Dartfish
Rock Beauty
Schooling Bannerfish
Sixline Soapfish
Speckled Blue Grouper
Redfin Fairy Wrasse
Vagabond Butterflyfish
Rainford’s Butterflyfish
Threadfin Butterflyfish
Spotfin Hogfish
Moon Wrasse
Multi-barred Angelfish
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...