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.

Tobacco Basslet

Goldspot Blenny

Pyramid Butterflyfish

Vagabond Butterflyfish

Rainford’s Butterflyfish

Threadfin Butterflyfish

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

Bicolor Blenny

Copperband Butterflyfish

Latticed Butterflyfish

Meyer’s Butterflyfish

Lined Butterflyfish

Four-Eyed Butterflyfish

Blacktail Butterflyfish

Zebra Dartfish

Singular Bannerfish

Yellow Longnose Butterflyfish

Teardrop Butterflyfish

Spotband Butterflyfish

Lawnmower Blenny

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....

Big Longnose Butterflyfish

Banded Pipefish

Pacific Double-Saddle Butterflyfish

Fourspot Butterflyfish

Merten’s Butterflyfish

Orangeface Butterflyfish

Burgess’ Butterflyfish

Convict Tang

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...

Red Sea bannerfish

Red Sea Mimic Blenny

Tinker’s Butterflyfish

Raccoon Butterflyfish

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...

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...

Leopard Blenny

Kole Tang

Melon Butterflyfish

Ornate Butterflyfish

Blackback Butterflyfish

Klein’s Butterflyfish

Bennett’s Butterflyfish

Orange Shoulder Tang

Smith’s Fangblenny

Schooling Bannerfish

Pearlscale Butterflyfish

Mirror Butterflyfish

Saddleback Butterflyfish

Convict Blenny

Overview Native to the Indo-Pacific region, typically inhabiting coral reefs and rocky crevices. Distinctive eel-like body with striking black and white horizontal stripes, resembling a "convict" pattern. Known for its unique burrowing and schooling behavior, often...