
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.
Sailfin Tang
Rectangle Triggerfish
Zebra Dartfish
Red Sea bannerfish
White-streaked Grouper
Fu Manchu Lionfish
Tinker’s Butterflyfish
Raccoon Butterflyfish
Sohal Tang
Indian Ocean Sailfin Tang
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...
Naso Tang
Overview Found in the Indo-Pacific region. Known for their distinctive appearance, including a prominent nose horn (more developed in males) and vibrant coloration. They have a laterally compressed body and a lunate tail. Naso tangs are active swimmers and often seen...
Kole Tang
Melon Butterflyfish
Ornate Butterflyfish
Blackback Butterflyfish
Klein’s Butterflyfish
Burgess’ Butterflyfish
Bluelined Hind
Porkfish
Orange Shoulder Tang
Atlantic Blue Tang
Yellow Tang
Red Lionfish
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...
Schooling Bannerfish
Speckled Blue Grouper
Pearlscale Butterflyfish
Mirror Butterflyfish
Saddleback Butterflyfish
Whitecheek Tang
Blue Throat Triggerfish
Arabian Picasso Triggerfish
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...
Helfrich’s Firefish
Horned Bannerfish
Humpback Grouper
Golden Butterflyfish
Eightband Butterflyfish
Oval Butterflyfish
Saddleback Butterflyfish
Bennett’s Butterflyfish
Coral Grouper
Indian Ocean Mimic Tang
Lined Surgeonfish
Achilles Tang
Sargassum Triggerfish
Russell’s Lionfish
Shortnose Unicornfish
Pyramid Butterflyfish
Zebra Lionfish
Vagabond Butterflyfish
Rainford’s Butterflyfish
Threadfin Butterflyfish
Purple Tang
Lyretail Grouper
Picasso Triggerfish
Blue Tang
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
Copperband Butterflyfish
Latticed Butterflyfish
Meyer’s Butterflyfish
Lined Butterflyfish
Collare Butterflyfish
Eastern Triangle Butterflyfish
Peacock Grouper
Convict Tang
Powder Blue Surgeonfish
Tobacco Basslet
Antennata Lionfish
Singular Bannerfish
Yellow Longnose Butterflyfish
Dwarf Lionfish
Teardrop Butterflyfish
Spotband Butterflyfish
Queen Triggerfish
Brown Tang
Halfmoon Triggerfish
Radiata Lionfish
Longnose Filefish
Bluespine Unicorn Tang
Overview Found in the Indo-Pacific region. Known for their distinctive long horn-like protrusion on their forehead, which develops with age. They have a laterally compressed body and a lunate tail. Unicorn tangs are active swimmers and often seen grazing on algae....