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
Yellow Tang
Ward’s Sleeper Goby
The Golden Head Sleeper Goby
Twin-Spot Goby
Barhead Spinefoot
Tobacco Basslet
Zebra Dartfish
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...
Shortnose Unicornfish
Sharknose Goby
Yellow Clown Goby
White-streaked Grouper
Speckled Blue Grouper
Yellow Watchman Goby
Spotted Hawkfish
Seale’s Cardinalfish
Twospot Cardinalfish
Threadfin Cardinalfish
Rainford’s Goby
Wheeler’s Shrimp Goby
Steinitz’s Shrimp Goby
Randall’s Shrimp Goby
Wide-Banded Shrimp Goby
Sohal Tang
Whitecheek Tang
Purple Tang
Brown Tang
Indian Ocean Sailfin Tang
Lyretail Grouper
Diamond Goby
Blackray Shrimp Goby
Orbiculate Cardinalfish
Pajama Cardinalfish
Foxface Rabbitfish
One Spot Foxface Rabbitfish
Magnificent Rabbitfish
Orange-Spotted Spinefoot
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...
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
Longnose Hawkfish
Flame Hawkfish
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...
Helfrich’s Firefish
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...
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....
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...
Decorated Goby
Curious Wormfish
Neon Goby
Banded Pipefish
Swallowtail Hawkfish
Kole Tang
Pink Speckled Shrimp Goby
Humpback Grouper
Messmate Pipefish
Redbarred Hawkfish
Coral Hawkfish
Falco Hawkfish
Five-lined Cardinalfish
Atlantic Spadefish
Bluelined Hind
Coral Grouper
Peacock Grouper
Marine Betta
Orange-Lined Cardinalfish
Ochre-striped Cardinalfish
Sleeper Banded Goby
Periophthalma Shrimp Goby
Spotted shrimp goby
Diagonal Shrimp Goby
Indian Ocean Mimic Tang
Convict Tang
Mimic Tang
Orange Shoulder Tang
Lined Surgeonfish
Powder Blue Surgeonfish
Powder Brown Surgeonfish
Atlantic Blue Tang
