
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
Zebra Dartfish
Schooling Bannerfish
Pearlscale Butterflyfish
Mirror Butterflyfish
Saddleback Butterflyfish
Halfmoon Triggerfish
Orange-Spotted Spinefoot
Blackbelly Triggerfish
Longnose Filefish
Helfrich’s Firefish
Phantom Bannerfish
Big Longnose Butterflyfish
Falco Hawkfish
Golden Butterflyfish
Eightband Butterflyfish
Oval Butterflyfish
Saddleback Butterflyfish
Bennett’s Butterflyfish
Marine Betta
Barhead Spinefoot
Scissortail Dartfish
Overview Native to the Indo-Pacific, commonly inhabiting reef slopes, lagoons, and sandy rubble areas. Recognizable by its slender body, pale bluish-grey coloration, and distinct black fins. Peaceful and shy nature, often observed hovering in open water above reefs or...
Pyramid Butterflyfish
Vagabond Butterflyfish
Rainford’s Butterflyfish
Threadfin Butterflyfish
Foxface Rabbitfish
Coral Rabbitfish
Arabian Picasso Triggerfish
Longnose Hawkfish
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...
Masked Bannerfish
Swallowtail Hawkfish
Copperband Butterflyfish
Latticed Butterflyfish
Meyer’s Butterflyfish
Lined Butterflyfish
Collare Butterflyfish
Eastern Triangle Butterflyfish
Clown Triggerfish
Redcoat Squirrelfish
Singular Bannerfish
Yellow Longnose Butterflyfish
Teardrop Butterflyfish
Spotband Butterflyfish
Queen Triggerfish
One Spot Foxface Rabbitfish
Hawaiian Squirrelfish
Picasso Triggerfish
Flame Hawkfish
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...
Pennant Bannerfish
Redbarred Hawkfish
Pacific Double-Saddle Butterflyfish
Fourspot Butterflyfish
Merten’s Butterflyfish
Orangeface Butterflyfish
Four-Eyed Butterflyfish
Blacktail Butterflyfish
Rectangle Triggerfish
Red Sea bannerfish
Spotted Hawkfish
Tinker’s Butterflyfish
Raccoon Butterflyfish
Blue Throat Triggerfish
Magnificent Rabbitfish
Crown Squirrelfish
Blue Gudgeon
Overview Native to the Indo-Pacific region, frequently found over sand and rubble substrates near reefs. Distinctive slender body with a pale blue-green coloration and iridescent blue highlights along its sides. Known for peaceful and timid behavior, typically...
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...