
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.
Starry Dragonet
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
Spotted Hawkfish
Tinker’s Butterflyfish
Raccoon Butterflyfish
Twospot Cardinalfish
Orbiculate Cardinalfish
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...
Pennant Bannerfish
Swallowtail Hawkfish
Coral Hawkfish
Pacific Double-Saddle Butterflyfish
Fourspot Butterflyfish
Merten’s Butterflyfish
Orangeface Butterflyfish
Four-Eyed Butterflyfish
Blacktail Butterflyfish
Lyretail Hogfish
Spotted Mandarin
Singular Bannerfish
Yellow Longnose Butterflyfish
Pearlscale Butterflyfish
Mirror Butterflyfish
Saddleback Butterflyfish
Threadfin Cardinalfish
Pajama Cardinalfish
Flame Hawkfish
Stark’s Tilefish
Big Longnose Butterflyfish
Humpback Grouper
Falco Hawkfish
Melon Butterflyfish
Ornate Butterflyfish
Blackback Butterflyfish
Klein’s Butterflyfish
Burgess’ Butterflyfish
Bluelined Hind
Orange-Lined Cardinalfish
Tobacco Basslet
Red Sea bannerfish
White-streaked Grouper
Vagabond Butterflyfish
Rainford’s Butterflyfish
Threadfin Butterflyfish
Lyretail Grouper
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...
Flashing Tilefish
Banded Pipefish
Messmate Pipefish
Copperband Butterflyfish
Golden Butterflyfish
Eightband Butterflyfish
Oval Butterflyfish
Saddleback Butterflyfish
Bennett’s Butterflyfish
Coral Grouper
Ochre-striped Cardinalfish
Zebra Dartfish
Schooling Bannerfish
Speckled Blue Grouper
Teardrop Butterflyfish
Spotband Butterflyfish
Seale’s Cardinalfish
Mandarin Dragonet
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...