
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
Singular Bannerfish
Yellow Longnose Butterflyfish
Tinker’s Butterflyfish
Raccoon Butterflyfish
Blue Throat Triggerfish
Arabian Picasso Triggerfish
Helfrich’s Firefish
Pennant Bannerfish
Pacific Double-Saddle Butterflyfish
Fourspot Butterflyfish
Merten’s Butterflyfish
Orangeface Butterflyfish
Four-Eyed Butterflyfish
Blacktail Butterflyfish
Rectangle Triggerfish
Red Sea bannerfish
Pearlscale Butterflyfish
Mirror Butterflyfish
Saddleback Butterflyfish
Halfmoon Triggerfish
Picasso Triggerfish
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...
Big Longnose Butterflyfish
Melon Butterflyfish
Ornate Butterflyfish
Blackback Butterflyfish
Klein’s Butterflyfish
Burgess’ Butterflyfish
Bicolor Parrotfish
Zebra Dartfish
Schooling Bannerfish
Vagabond Butterflyfish
Rainford’s Butterflyfish
Threadfin Butterflyfish
Princess Parrotfish
Longnose Filefish
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...
Pineapplefish
Golden Butterflyfish
Eightband Butterflyfish
Oval Butterflyfish
Saddleback Butterflyfish
Bennett’s Butterflyfish
Lyretail Hogfish
Violet Soldierfish
Pyramid Butterflyfish
Teardrop Butterflyfish
Spotband Butterflyfish
Queen Triggerfish
Blackbelly Triggerfish
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...