
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.
Ward’s Sleeper Goby
Tobacco Basslet
Zebra Dartfish
Pyramid Butterflyfish
White-streaked Grouper
Fu Manchu Lionfish
Teardrop Butterflyfish
Spotband Butterflyfish
Rainford’s Goby
Wide-Banded Shrimp Goby
Foxface Rabbitfish
Coral Rabbitfish
Gulf Toadfish
Decorated Goby
Neon Goby
Copperband Butterflyfish
Latticed Butterflyfish
Meyer’s Butterflyfish
Lined Butterflyfish
Collare Butterflyfish
Eastern Triangle Butterflyfish
Peacock Grouper
Diagonal Shrimp Goby
The Golden Head Sleeper Goby
Red Lionfish
Singular Bannerfish
Sharknose Goby
Speckled Blue Grouper
Yellow Watchman Goby
Tinker’s Butterflyfish
Raccoon Butterflyfish
Wheeler’s Shrimp Goby
Lyretail Grouper
One Spot Foxface Rabbitfish
Radiata 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...
Horned Bannerfish
Big Longnose Butterflyfish
Pacific Double-Saddle Butterflyfish
Fourspot Butterflyfish
Merten’s Butterflyfish
Orangeface Butterflyfish
Four-Eyed Butterflyfish
Blacktail Butterflyfish
Sleeper Banded Goby
Twin-Spot Goby
Russell’s Lionfish
Red Sea bannerfish
Yellow Clown Goby
Zebra Lionfish
Pearlscale Butterflyfish
Mirror Butterflyfish
Saddleback Butterflyfish
Steinitz’s Shrimp Goby
Diamond Goby
Magnificent Rabbitfish
Mombasa Lionfish
Helfrich’s Firefish
Pennant Bannerfish
Pink Speckled Shrimp Goby
Melon Butterflyfish
Ornate Butterflyfish
Blackback Butterflyfish
Klein’s Butterflyfish
Burgess’ Butterflyfish
Bluelined Hind
Periophthalma Shrimp Goby
Barhead Spinefoot
Antennata Lionfish
Schooling Bannerfish
Yellow Longnose Butterflyfish
Dwarf Lionfish
Vagabond Butterflyfish
Rainford’s Butterflyfish
Threadfin Butterflyfish
Randall’s Shrimp Goby
Blackray Shrimp Goby
Orange-Spotted Spinefoot
Longnose Filefish
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...