
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
Redcoat Squirrelfish
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
Magnificent Rabbitfish
Crown Squirrelfish
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...
Helfrich’s Firefish
King Angelfish
Fingered Dragonet
Keyhole Angelfish
Eibli Angelfish
African Flameback Angelfish
Three-spot Angelfish
Starry Dragonet
Rectangle Triggerfish
Violet Soldierfish
Vermiculated Angelfish
Queen Triggerfish
Blue Throat Triggerfish
Pajama Cardinalfish
Orange-Spotted Spinefoot
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...
Blue Angelfish
Five-lined Cardinalfish
Potter’s Angelfish
Bicolor Angelfish
Marine Betta
Orange-Lined Cardinalfish
Spotted Mandarin
Regal Angelfish
Rock Beauty
Scribbled Angelfish
Seale’s Cardinalfish
Mandarin Dragonet
Foxface Rabbitfish
Coral Rabbitfish
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
Twospot Soldierfish
Overview Native to the Indo-Pacific region, often found in lagoons and seaward reefs. Recognized by its vibrant red or orange body, distinctive black tips on its dorsal fin, and large eyes. Nocturnal species, typically seeking shelter in caves or crevices during the...
Swallowtail Angelfish
Black Velvet Angelfish
Flame Angelfish
Golden Angelfish
Clown Triggerfish
Ochre-striped Cardinalfish
Barhead Spinefoot
Zebra Dartfish
Queen Angelfish
Whitetail Pygmy Angelfish
Twospot Cardinalfish
Halfmoon Triggerfish
One Spot Foxface Rabbitfish
Hawaiian Squirrelfish
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...
Darkfin Soldierfish
Overview Found in the Indo-Pacific region. Known for their reddish coloration and deep body shape, typical of soldierfish. They have large eyes, adapted for nocturnal activity. Shadowfin soldierfish are often found in caves or under ledges. Feeding They are nocturnal...