
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
Purple Tilefish
Sixline Soapfish
Speckled Blue Grouper
Solar Fairy Wrasse
Seale’s Cardinalfish
Rainford’s Goby
Wide-Banded Shrimp Goby
Moon Wrasse
Orbiculate Cardinalfish
Magnificent Rabbitfish
Goldspecs Jawfish
Overview Found in various marine environments worldwide. Known for their characteristic large mouths and burrowing behavior. They have elongated bodies and are often colorful. Jawfish are peaceful and have a distinctive behavior of building and inhabiting burrows....
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...
Cleaner Wrasse
Dusky Wrasse
Pastel Green Wrasse
Pink Speckled Shrimp Goby
Brownbanded Bamboo Shark
Peacock Grouper
Diana’s Hogfish
Blue-Spotted Wrasse
Diagonal Shrimp Goby
The Golden Head Sleeper Goby
Zebra Dartfish
Marcos’ Wrasse
Sharknose Goby
Yellow Watchman Goby
Redfin Fairy Wrasse
Twospot Cardinalfish
Wheeler’s Shrimp Goby
Peacock Wrasse
Sixbar Wrasse
Pajama Cardinalfish
Orange-Spotted Spinefoot
Rosenblatt’s Jawfish
Peacock Wrasse
Bicolor Cleaner Wrasse
Radiant Wrasse
Curious Wormfish
Humpback Grouper
Five-lined Cardinalfish
Marine Betta
Axilspot Hogfish
Sleeper Banded Goby
Twin-Spot Goby
Yellowhead Jawfish
Overview Found in the western Atlantic Ocean, including the Caribbean Sea. Known for their bright yellow head and elongated body. They have a large mouth and are often seen hovering near their burrows. Yellowhead jawfish are peaceful and have a distinctive behavior of...
Zigzag Wrasse
Yellow Clown Goby
Yellowtail Coris Wrasse
Spanish Hogfish
Threadfin Cardinalfish
Steinitz’s Shrimp Goby
Lyretail Grouper
Blackray Shrimp Goby
Foxface Rabbitfish
Coral Rabbitfish
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...
Allen’s Wrasse
Decorated Goby
Checkerboard Wrasse
Bird Wrasse
Lubbock’s Fairy Wrasse
Bluelined Hind
Split-Level Hogfish
Orange-Lined Cardinalfish
Periophthalma Shrimp Goby
Barhead Spinefoot
Fourline Wrasse
Tail-spot wrasse
White-streaked Grouper
Clown Wrasse
Spotfin Hogfish
Spotted Wrasse
Randall’s Shrimp Goby
Diamond Goby
Belted Wrasse
One Spot Foxface Rabbitfish
Filamented Flasher Wrasse
Overview Native to the Western Pacific Ocean. Known for the elongated filaments on the dorsal fin of males, used in their flashing displays. Small and slender-bodied, with vibrant coloration that intensifies during courtship. Peaceful and active, preferring reef...
Helfrich’s Firefish
Hawaiian Cleaner Wrasse
Overview Found in the Indo-Pacific region. Known for their role in cleaning other fish by removing parasites. They have a slender body and a distinctive swimming pattern. Cleaner wrasses establish cleaning stations on the reef. Feeding They are primarily carnivores....