
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
Red Lionfish
Singular Bannerfish
Yellow Longnose Butterflyfish
Spotted Hawkfish
Tinker’s Butterflyfish
Raccoon Butterflyfish
Blue Throat Triggerfish
Arabian Picasso Triggerfish
Longnose Filefish
Helfrich’s Firefish
Big Longnose Butterflyfish
Redbarred Hawkfish
Pacific Double-Saddle Butterflyfish
Fourspot Butterflyfish
Merten’s Butterflyfish
Orangeface Butterflyfish
Four-Eyed Butterflyfish
Blacktail Butterflyfish
Starry Dragonet
Russell’s Lionfish
Red Sea bannerfish
Zebra Lionfish
Pearlscale Butterflyfish
Mirror Butterflyfish
Saddleback Butterflyfish
Mandarin Dragonet
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...
Fingered Dragonet
Coral Hawkfish
Melon Butterflyfish
Ornate Butterflyfish
Blackback Butterflyfish
Klein’s Butterflyfish
Burgess’ Butterflyfish
Lyretail Hogfish
Spotted Mandarin
Antennata Lionfish
Schooling Bannerfish
Dwarf Lionfish
Vagabond Butterflyfish
Rainford’s Butterflyfish
Threadfin Butterflyfish
Halfmoon Triggerfish
Radiata Lionfish
Flame Hawkfish
Horned Bannerfish
Swallowtail Hawkfish
Falco Hawkfish
Golden Butterflyfish
Eightband Butterflyfish
Oval Butterflyfish
Saddleback Butterflyfish
Bennett’s Butterflyfish
Clown Triggerfish
Rectangle Triggerfish
Zebra Dartfish
Pyramid Butterflyfish
Fu Manchu Lionfish
Teardrop Butterflyfish
Spotband Butterflyfish
Queen Triggerfish
Blackbelly Triggerfish
Mombasa Lionfish
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...