Saltwater aquariums have a unique allure, offering enthusiasts the opportunity to delve into the captivating world of marine life. Creating a thriving saltwater aquarium is an art that requires careful consideration of the fish species to ensure compatibility, health, and overall harmony within the tank. In this article, we will explore the top 15 most common saltwater aquarium fish, highlighting their beauty, behavior, and essential care tips to help aquarists create a stunning and vibrant underwater ecosystem.
1. Clownfish (Amphiprioninae)
- Quick Info: Very hardy, easy to keep
- Care Level: Easy
- Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons
- Diet: Omnivore
- Temperament: Peaceful
Clownfish are arguably the most beloved saltwater aquarium fish, admired for their vibrant colors, striking patterns, and unique symbiotic relationships with anemones. They come in various species, with the most famous being the Orange Clownfish (Amphiprion percula) and the Ocellaris Clownfish (Amphiprion ocellaris). These hardy fish are a great choice for beginners, as they are relatively easy to care for and adapt well to aquarium life.
Care Tips: Provide a host anemone or suitable alternatives for them to form a symbiotic bond. Clownfish thrive in a tank with plenty of hiding spots and a well-established biological filtration system.
2. Royal Gramma (Gramma loreto)
- Quick Info: Inexpensive, hardy
- Care Level: Easy
- Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons
- Diet: Carnivore
- Temperament: Peaceful
The royal gramma is a species of fish in the family Grammaticae that is native to tropical western Atlantic Ocean reef environments. They are also known as the fairy basslet and are commonly kept in aquariums. The royal gramma has a striking coloration, with a purple head that fades to a yellowtail. The fish also has a black line through the eye and a black spot on the dorsal fin. The royal gramma can grow up to 3 inches in length and lives for over 5 years. The royal gramma is a carnivore that feeds on zooplankton, crustaceans, and parasites. The royal gramma is a peaceful and hardy fish that is reef compatible and easy to care for.
Care Tips: Keep only one Royal Gramma per tank to avoid territorial disputes. Provide a stable and well-lit environment to bring out their vibrant colors.
3. Gobies (Gobiidae)
- Popular Species Types: Elacatinus, Valenciennea, Cryptocentrus, Gobiodon, Amblyeleotris
- Popular Varieties: Yellow watchman goby, diamond watchman goby, clown goby, hi fin red banded goby, firefish goby, neon goby
- Size Range: 1-5 inches
- Origins: Coastal/tidal waters worldwide
- Tank Size Range: 5+ gallons
Gobies are a diverse family of bony fish that belong to the order Gobiiformes. They are one of the largest fish families, with more than 2,000 species in over 200 genera. Gobies are mostly small, less than 10 cm in length, and live on the bottom of freshwater, brackish and marine habitats. They have fused pelvic fins that form a disc-shaped sucker, which they use to attach to rocks, corals, or other surfaces. Gobies are found worldwide, but are more common in the tropics and subtropics, especially in the Indo-Pacific region. Some gobies can adapt to extreme environments, such as subarctic streams, mountain streams, tide pools, mudflats, and mangrove swamps. Gobies are carnivorous and feed on various invertebrates and small fish. They are also important prey for larger fish and other predators.
Care Tips: Gobies thrive in well-established tanks with plenty of live rock and sand for hiding and burrowing. Maintain consistent water quality and supplement their diet with small, meaty foods.
4. Tangs (Acanthuridae)
- Popular Species Types: Zebrasoma, Ctenchaetus, Acanthurus, Naso
- Popular Varieties: Yellow tang, purple tang, sailfin tang, naso tang, unicorn tang, clown tang
- Size Range: 6-24 inches
- Origins: Indo-Pacific
- Tank Size Range: 70+ gallons
Tangs, also known as surgeonfishes or unicornfishes, belong to the family Acanthuridae. They are marine fish that live in tropical seas, usually around coral reefs. They have one or more scalpel-like spines on either side of their tail, which they use for defense. They feed mainly on algae, but some species also eat zooplankton. They are brightly colored and popular in aquaria. The family has about 86 extant species.
Care Tips: Provide a spacious tank with excellent water flow and maintain pristine water conditions. Tangs are herbivores, so a varied diet of algae and vegetable-based foods is essential.
5. Coral Beauty Angelfish (Centropyge bispinosa)
- Quick Info: Hardy, colorful
- Care Level: Easy
- Minimum Tank Size: 70 gallons
- Diet: Omnivore
- Temperament: Semi-aggressive
The coral beauty angelfish is a small but colorful fish that lives in the coral reefs of the Indo-Pacific region. It has a dark blue-purple head and fins, and an orange to yellow body with blue spots or lines. It can grow up to 4 inches (10 cm) in length and is one of the most popular dwarf angelfish for saltwater aquariums. It is a hardy and active fish that feeds on algae and other foods. It is mostly reef-safe but may nip at some soft corals. It is best kept in a large tank with plenty of live rock and hiding places.
Care Tips: Provide plenty of live rock for grazing and hiding. Introduce them to the tank last to reduce territorial behavior. Supplement their diet with a variety of marine-based foods.
6. Rusty Angelfish (Centropyge ferrugatus)
- Quick Info: Hardy, colorful
- Care Level: Moderate
- Minimum Tank Size: 70 gallons
- Diet: Omnivore
- Temperament: Semi-aggressive
The Rusty Angelfish is a small and colorful species of dwarf angelfish that inhabits seaward reefs in the Indo-Pacific region. It has a golden orange body with black dots that form vertical stripes and decrease in size from the back to the belly. The edges of its dorsal, anal, and caudal fins are bright blue, while the anal fin is dark. The Rusty Angelfish is an omnivorous grazer that feeds on algae and detritus. It can grow up to 4 inches (10 cm) in length and is moderately hardy in captivity. However, it may nip at corals and clams, so it is not a good reef dweller.
Care Tips: Rusty Angelfish are omnivores, so offer a balanced diet of both meaty and plant-based foods. Ensure they have enough hiding spots to reduce stress.
7. Cardinalfish (Apogonidae)
- Quick Info: Inexpensive, hardy, like to school
- Care Level: Easy to Moderate
- Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons
- Diet: Carnivore
- Temperament: Peaceful to Semi-aggressive
Cardinalfish are a family of ray-finned fishes (Apogonidae) that live in tropical and subtropical waters around the world. They are mostly marine, but some species can be found in brackish or freshwater. They are small, nocturnal, and often brightly colored. They have two dorsal fins, a large mouth, and large eyes. Some species are popular as aquarium fish because they are peaceful and colorful. Male cardinalfish incubate their eggs in their mouth until they hatch.
Care Tips: Provide them with ample hiding spots and gentle water flow. These fish are mouthbrooders, meaning the male carries the eggs in his mouth until they hatch.
8. Green Chromis (Chromis Viridis)
- Quick Info: Inexpensive, hardy, colorful, like to school
- Care Level: Easy
- Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons
- Diet: Omnivore
- Temperament: Peaceful
The Green Chromis is a small and colorful saltwater fish that belongs to the damselfish family. It is native to the Indo-Pacific region, where it lives in coral reefs and lagoons. It is often seen in large schools above Acropora corals, which provide shelter and food. The Green Chromis has a slender oval-shaped body with a forked tail and iridescent shades of green and blue. It can grow up to 10 cm in length and has a peaceful and playful temperament. It is a popular fish among aquarium hobbyists because of its beauty, hardiness, and reef compatibility.
Care Tips: Keep them in groups of at least three to reduce stress. Provide ample swimming space and offer a balanced diet of small foods.
9. Wrasses (Labroides dimidiatus)
- Popular Species Types: Anampses, Cirrhilabrus, Wetmorella, Halichoeres, Pseudocheilinus, Paracheilinus, Labroides, Thalassoma
- Popular Varieties: Sixline wrasse, Carpenter’s wrasse, cleaner wrasse, melanus wrasse, possum wrasse, yellow coris wrasse, fairy wrasse, cleaner wrasse
- Size Range: 3-7 inches though some species grow to be much larger
- Origins: Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans
- Tank Size Range: 20+ gallons
Wrasses are a diverse family of marine fish that belong to the order Perciformes. They have over 600 species in 81 genera, and they are usually brightly colored and elongated. They have thick lips, smooth scales, long dorsal and anal fins, and large canine teeth in the front of the jaw. They are carnivorous and feed on a variety of invertebrates, but some small wrasses also act as cleaners for larger fish by removing their external parasites. Wrasses are found in tropical and temperate waters of the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans, especially among coral reefs. They are protogynous hermaphrodites, meaning they can change sex from female to male during their life cycle. Some wrasses can also change color depending on their age and sex. Wrasses are not very important for commercial fishing, but some species are popular as aquarium fish.
Care Tips: Avoid keeping them with aggressive fish, as they may become prey. Offer them small, frequent meals throughout the day.
10. Blennies (Ecsenius bicolor)
- Popular Species Types: Salarias, Meiacanthus, Ecsenius, Synchiropus
- Popular Varieties: Algae blenny (lawnmower blenndy), tailspot blenny, bicolor blenny, Midas blenny
- Size Range: 3-6 inches
- Origins: Coastal waters worldwide
- Tank Size Range: 10+ gallons
Blennies are a group of fish that belong to the order Blenniiformes, which contains six families and about 900 species. They are mostly small, slim, and scaleless, and they live in various habitats from tropical to cold seas. Some blennies can hop on rocks or mimic other fish to avoid predators or catch prey. Blennies have long dorsal fins, and pelvic fins near the throat, and often have whisker-like cirri on their heads. They feed on different types of food, such as detritus, algae, or small animals.
Care Tips: Provide a well-established aquarium with plenty of live rock for perching and hiding. Blennies are herbivores, so offer a varied diet of marine algae.
11. Gobies (Nemateleotris magnifica)
- Popular Species Types: Elacatinus, Valenciennea, Cryptocentrus, Gobiodon, Amblyeleotris
- Popular Varieties: Yellow watchman goby, diamond watchman goby, clown goby, hi fin red banded goby, firefish goby, neon goby
- Size Range: 1-5 inches
- Origins: Coastal/tidal waters worldwide
- Tank Size Range: 5+ gallons
Gobies are a large and diverse group of fish that belong to the family Gobiidae, which has more than 2,000 species in over 200 genera. They are found in marine, brackish, and freshwater habitats around the world, especially in tropical and temperate regions. Gobies are typically small, with large heads and tapered bodies, and most of them have fused pelvic fins that form a disc-shaped sucker. This sucker helps them to adhere to rocks, corals, and other substrates. Gobies are carnivorous and feed on various invertebrates and small fish. Some gobies live in burrows, while others form symbiotic relationships with shrimps, crabs, or sea anemones. Gobies are one of the most common and diverse fish families on coral reefs, where they account for 35% of the total number of fish and 20% of the species diversity.
Care Tips: Create a peaceful environment with plenty of hiding spots. Offer a varied diet of small, meaty foods and ensure a secure tank lid to prevent them from jumping.
12. Pufferfish (Tetraodontidae)
- Popular Species Types: Canthigaster, Diodon, Arthron, Chilomycterus
- Popular Varieties: Saddle pufferfish, saddle valentini pufferfish, porcupine pufferfish, spotted puffer
- Size Range: 10-30 inches
- Origins: Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans
- Tank Size Range: 55+ gallons
Pufferfish are a family of fish that can inflate themselves into a ball shape when threatened by predators. They do this by swallowing large amounts of water or air into their elastic stomachs. Some pufferfish also have spines on their skin to deter predators. Pufferfish are mostly marine and estuarine, but some species can live in brackish or freshwater. They have four teeth that are fused into a beak-like structure, which they use to crush the shells of their prey, such as crustaceans and mollusks. Pufferfish are also known for being highly toxic, as they contain tetrodotoxin, a deadly poison that can kill humans and other animals.
Care Tips: Pufferfish are carnivores, so offer them a diet rich in small crustaceans and mollusks. Avoid keeping them with aggressive tank mates, as they can be territorial.
13. Hawkfish (Cirrhitidae)
- Popular Species Types: Neocirrhites, Neocirrhites, Oxycirrhites
- Popular Varieties: Longnose hawkfish, flame hawkfish, spotted hawkfish
- Size Range: 3-5 inches
- Origins: Indo-Pacific
- Tank Size Range: 30+ gallons
Hawkfish are a family of marine fish (Cirrhitidae) that live in tropical seas and coral reefs. They have large heads, oblong bodies, and spiny dorsal fins with cirri. They also have canine-like teeth and thickened pectoral fin rays. The largest species of hawkfish is the giant hawkfish (Cirrhitus rivulatus), which can grow up to 60 cm in length and weigh more than 5 kg. It has a grayish-brown color with five vertical bars of golden brown markings with black and blue edges.
Care Tips: Provide ample perching spots and live rock. Hawkfish may display territorial behavior, so avoid housing them with other hawkfish species.
14. Butterflyfish (Chaetodontidae)
- Popular Species Types: Chaetodon, Forcipiger, Prognathodes, Heniochus, Chelmon
- Popular Varieties: Yellow longnose butterfly, Pakistan butterfly, copperband butterfly, Heniochus black and white butterflyfish, racoon butterflyfish
- Size Range: 5-12 inches
- Origins: Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans
- Tank Size Range: 75+ gallons
Butterflyfish are a group of colorful and diverse tropical marine fish that belong to the family Chaetodontidae. They are found mostly on coral reefs in the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific oceans, where they feed on small invertebrates, coral polyps, and algae. Butterflyfish have thin, disk-shaped bodies that resemble angelfish, but they lack spines on their gill covers. They also have distinctive patterns on their scales, often with eye-like spots or dark bands to confuse predators. Some butterflyfish form pairs that mate for life, while others travel in schools. Butterflyfish are among the most common and popular fish for aquariums and reef tourism.
Care Tips: Offer a varied diet of algae, small invertebrates, and high-quality commercial foods. Choose peaceful tank mates to avoid aggression and territorial behavior. Provide plenty of live rock and coral formations for hiding and grazing. Avoid medications containing copper, as Butterflyfish are sensitive to it.
15. Damselfish (Cirrhitidae)
- Popular Species Types: Dascyllus, Pomacentrus, Chrysiptera, Chromis, Microspathodon
- Popular Varieties: Azure damsel, Starck’s damsel, yellowtail damsel, Springer’s damsel, three stripe damsel, Fiji blue devil damsel
- Size Range: 2-4 inches
- Origins: Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans
- Tank Size Range: 10+ gallons
Damselfish are small, colorful fish that belong to the family Pomacentridae, which has more than 250 species. They are mostly found in tropical and subtropical marine waters, especially around coral reefs, but some can live in brackish or freshwater. Damselfish have a distinctive feature: their mouths can protrude and form a tube to suck in food. They feed on plankton, algae, and small crustaceans. Some damselfish are also known to farm algae and protect mysid shrimps in their territories. Damselfish are popular among aquarium hobbyists because they are hardy and easy to care for.
Care Tips: Offer a varied diet of high-quality pellets, flakes, and frozen foods. Be cautious with tank mates, as some Damselfish can be aggressive.
Is it difficult to set up a saltwater aquarium?
Setting up a saltwater aquarium can be more challenging than a freshwater aquarium due to the complexity of maintaining the proper water chemistry and the specific needs of marine fish and invertebrates. However, with the right knowledge, preparation, and dedication, it is entirely achievable for both beginners and experienced aquarists. Here are some factors to consider when setting up a saltwater aquarium:
1. Research and Planning: Before starting, conduct thorough research on the different types of saltwater aquariums (fish-only, reef, etc.) and the specific species you intend to keep. Plan the size of the tank, equipment needed, and the appropriate filtration and lighting system.
2. Cost: Saltwater aquarium setups can be more expensive than freshwater ones. The initial investment includes the tank, lighting, filtration, protein skimmer, live rock, substrate, and marine salt mix.
3. Water Quality: Maintaining stable water parameters is crucial in a saltwater aquarium. Regular testing and adjustments are necessary to keep the water chemistry at optimal levels for the fish and invertebrates.
4. Cycling: The aquarium must go through a nitrogen cycle to establish beneficial bacteria that convert harmful ammonia into less toxic substances. This process can take several weeks to complete before adding fish.
5. Salinity and Specific Gravity: Precise measurement and maintenance of salinity and specific gravity are essential in a saltwater aquarium. A refractometer or hydrometer is needed for accurate readings.
6. Live Rock and Substrate: Live rock provides biological filtration, and live sand helps to establish beneficial microorganisms in the aquarium. Both are critical components for a healthy saltwater tank.
7. Filtration: A quality filtration system, including a protein skimmer, is necessary to remove waste and impurities from the water.
8. Fish Selection: Choose fish and invertebrates suitable for beginners and compatible with each other to reduce stress and aggression in the tank.
9. Patience and Observation: Saltwater aquariums require regular maintenance and observation to ensure the health and well-being of the inhabitants.
10. Experience Level: If you're new to aquarium keeping, consider starting with a smaller tank or a fish-only setup before venturing into more challenging reef aquariums.
While setting up a saltwater aquarium may require some effort and attention to detail, the rewards of creating a stunning marine ecosystem with colorful fish, corals, and invertebrates make the journey worthwhile for many aquarium enthusiasts.
Conclusion
Creating a successful saltwater aquarium requires careful consideration of the fish species you choose to inhabit your underwater realm. The top 15 most common saltwater aquarium fish listed in this article offer a delightful array of colors, behaviors, and interactions, making them captivating additions to any marine tank. However, it's crucial to research each species thoroughly and provide them with an appropriate environment to ensure their health and well-being. With proper care and attention, these beautiful marine species will transform your aquarium into a breathtaking underwater wonderland, bringing joy and tranquility to both you and your fishy companions for years to come.
Watch more video: Saltwater Aquarium Basics In 10 Minutes