List of marine aquarium fish species

Fish labelled as "with caution" may have individuals within the species that could potentially eat invertebrates or cause damage to corals.

Most are not reef safe, and a potential owner should be aware that they need to have plenty of vegetable matter in their diet.

[3][4][5] Although Dwarf Angelfish are smaller and generally more manageable than their larger counterparts, they still have some specific care requirements.

They are omnivores, but plenty of vegetable matter, preferably in the form of macroalgae, should be provided for their grazing pleasure.

Specimens that have been successfully maintained in reef aquaria include the Flame and Coral Beauty angels.

The best way to ensure the health and longevity of an Anthias is to attach a refugium where copepods can be grown to "drip" into the display tank.

[35] In this exceedingly large group of fish, few are considered proper aquarium inhabitants, for various reasons including diet and size.

However they quickly grow to gargantuan proportions, and require large amounts of food as well as space, so beware.

Batfish change greatly as they grow, however the potential aquarist is most likely to see them in their juvenile form, so that is the description of the colouration here.

They all have generally the same body shape: disk-like with tall dorsal and anal fins, similar to a Freshwater Angelfish.

[45] The engineer goby is a close relative of cichlids and leaf fishes, the juvenile can often be found in aquarium trade, while the adult is rare.

(3.9in) Members of the family Tetraodontidae, Boxfish, Blowfish or Pufferfish and their cousins Cowfishes and Porcupinefishes can be very personable and quirky pets, for the prepared.

They generally only use it when threatened or dying, but can become disturbed easily with aggressive tank mates or overcrowded aquarium.

Many people think puffed up Pufferfish, like in the picture, are cute, but an owner should never subject their pet to this as they are often unable to expel the air should they be out of the water.

[46] When properly cared for, Butterflyfish can make beautiful and distinctive additions to fish only marine aquariums.

[47] (5.9 in) (5.9 in) (6.3 in) (11.8 in) One of the few groups of shoaling fish commonly available to marine aquarists, Cardinalfish are nocturnal and tend to be quite shy.

A flake staple is usually sufficient, but for best color and health supplement with frozen and live foods when possible.

Aquarists often find that Anemonefish will host in other things, from corals and Feather Duster Worms to powerheads and other equipment.

Most starve to death in a marine aquarium unless you provide a refugium or place for the invertebrates to reproduce safely without any fish being able to reach them.

With any moray eel care must be taken to secure the lid as one of the most common causes of death is escaping from the tank, and onto the floor.

[67][68] Attractive and relatively small, Hawkfish make excellent additions to fish only or FOWLR aquariums.

Lacking a swim bladder, Hawkfish can often be found resting in crevices of rocks or among the branches of corals or gorgonians.

Some fish will never accept anything but live food, typically these specimens are fed on gut packed guppies, mollies, or ghost shrimp.

A potential keeper must be dedicated and willing to throw artistic creativity to the winds- as what seahorses need is not always beautiful.

Good tank mates would include other peaceful, microfauna consuming species such as pipefish and dragonets.

Seahorses found in stores are generally Captive Bred, but occasionally one might find a wild caught (WC) specimen.

One of the advantages of Seahorses is that many species stay small and can (in fact, some should) be kept in smaller tanks, making them ideal for aquarists who are pressed for space or money.

by surrounding them in polyurethane foam barriers (unprotected equipment can be dangerous to active sharks), and a secure canopy (sharks can jump out of the water)[70] as well as, strong, steady, linear water flow (10+ x the volume of the aquarium per hour) moving in a gyre circling the aquarium, dissolved oxygen levels of 7–8ppm (slightly more if you are using ozone), low light levels, and no stray electrical currents/amounts of metal in the aquarium water.

[118] Many sharks feed on invertebrates to a great degree along with fish (even ones that are larger than themselves), and although they don't eat coral, they can knock them over and rest on them.

[183][184] While they are generally considered monsters that will chomp invertebrates, a few species can make great reef fish.