
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
Sunrise Dottyback
Overview Native to the Red Sea, typically found inhabiting coral reefs and rocky areas. Distinctive bright coloration featuring a vibrant blue body with a striking yellow-orange head and dorsal region. Known for its bold personality and territorial behavior, ideal for...
Twospot Cardinalfish
Purple Tang
Halfmoon Triggerfish
One Spot Foxface Rabbitfish
Blackbelly Triggerfish
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...
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...
Five-lined Cardinalfish
Ochre-striped Cardinalfish
Orange Shoulder Tang
Atlantic Blue Tang
Yellow Tang
Zebra Dartfish
Shortnose Unicornfish
Threadfin Cardinalfish
Brown Tang
Orbiculate Cardinalfish
Magnificent Rabbitfish
Arabian Picasso Triggerfish
Magenta Dottyback
Overview Native to the Western Pacific, commonly found inhabiting coral reefs and rocky crevices. Recognized by its striking magenta-purple coloration that can vary slightly in intensity. Known for its bold and territorial behavior, suitable for aquarists with some...
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....
Marine Betta
Indian Ocean Mimic Tang
Lined Surgeonfish
Achilles Tang
Sargassum Triggerfish
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...
Queen Triggerfish
Sohal Tang
Indian Ocean Sailfin Tang
Pajama Cardinalfish
Orange-Spotted Spinefoot
Picasso Triggerfish
Orchid Dottyback
Overview Native to the Red Sea, often found in coral reefs and rocky crevices. Known for its vibrant, deep purple or orchid coloration, making it popular among marine aquarists. Displays bold, inquisitive behavior while being less aggressive compared to other...
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...
Clown Triggerfish
Convict Tang
Powder Blue Surgeonfish
Barhead Spinefoot
Bicolor Dottyback
Overview Native to the Indo-Pacific region, commonly found inhabiting coral reefs and rocky crevices. Distinctive two-tone coloration with a vibrant purple front half and bright yellow rear half. Popular aquarium species for its bright colors, active nature, and...
Seale’s Cardinalfish
Whitecheek Tang
Blue Throat Triggerfish
Foxface Rabbitfish
Coral Rabbitfish
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...
Diadem Dottyback
Overview Native to the Indo-Pacific region, typically inhabiting coral reefs and rocky crevices. Distinctive coloration featuring a vivid purple body with a yellow dorsal stripe running from head to tail. Known for its bold and territorial nature, suitable for...