
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
Barhead Spinefoot
Red Sea bannerfish
Yellow Clown Goby
Pearlscale Butterflyfish
Mirror Butterflyfish
Saddleback Butterflyfish
Twospot Cardinalfish
Steinitz’s Shrimp Goby
Diamond Goby
Pajama Cardinalfish
Orange-Spotted Spinefoot
Blackbelly Triggerfish
Longnose Filefish
Decorated Goby
Pennant Bannerfish
Big Longnose Butterflyfish
Coral Hawkfish
Pacific Double-Saddle Butterflyfish
Fourspot Butterflyfish
Merten’s Butterflyfish
Orangeface Butterflyfish
Four-Eyed Butterflyfish
Blacktail Butterflyfish
Ochre-striped Cardinalfish
Diagonal Shrimp Goby
Ward’s Sleeper Goby
Redcoat Squirrelfish
Schooling Bannerfish
Yellow Longnose Butterflyfish
Vagabond Butterflyfish
Rainford’s Butterflyfish
Threadfin Butterflyfish
Threadfin Cardinalfish
Randall’s Shrimp Goby
Halfmoon Triggerfish
Foxface Rabbitfish
Coral Rabbitfish
Arabian Picasso Triggerfish
Longnose Hawkfish
Horned Bannerfish
Longfin Bannerfish
Swallowtail Hawkfish
Falco Hawkfish
Melon Butterflyfish
Ornate Butterflyfish
Blackback Butterflyfish
Klein’s Butterflyfish
Burgess’ Butterflyfish
Marine Betta
Sleeper Banded Goby
The Golden Head Sleeper Goby
Rectangle Triggerfish
Pyramid Butterflyfish
Yellow Watchman Goby
Teardrop Butterflyfish
Spotband Butterflyfish
Queen Triggerfish
Rainford’s Goby
Wide-Banded Shrimp Goby
Blackray Shrimp Goby
One Spot Foxface Rabbitfish
Hawaiian Squirrelfish
Picasso Triggerfish
Flame Hawkfish
Phantom Bannerfish
Curious Wormfish
Pink Speckled Shrimp Goby
Copperband Butterflyfish
Golden Butterflyfish
Eightband Butterflyfish
Oval Butterflyfish
Saddleback Butterflyfish
Bennett’s Butterflyfish
Clown Triggerfish
Periophthalma Shrimp Goby
Twin-Spot Goby
Singular Bannerfish
Sharknose Goby
Spotted Hawkfish
Tinker’s Butterflyfish
Raccoon Butterflyfish
Seale’s Cardinalfish
Wheeler’s Shrimp Goby
Blue Throat Triggerfish
Orbiculate Cardinalfish
Magnificent Rabbitfish
Crown Squirrelfish
Banggai Cardinalfish
Overview Endemic to the Banggai Islands of Indonesia, typically inhabiting shallow reefs and seagrass beds. Recognizable for its distinctive silver body, bold black vertical stripes, and white spots. Calm and peaceful nature, making it suitable for community reef...
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...