Common saltwater fish
The chart below details a few common species of saltwater fish that can be found in many aquarium shops.
The pictures are representative of the species, but do not include the many color variations that are available. Your aquarium shop may have many more varieties of fish for a particular species. Look for a color combination that you enjoy and select that variety.
The table identifies the size, age, temp, and pH for each species. The general nature of the fish is also provided as is the reproduction method and food types.
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Size | Life | Thermal | pH | Reproduction | Behavior | Diet | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Clownfish | Ocellaris Clownfish | 3" | 6-10 yrs | 75-82 F | 8.1 - 8.4 | Egg layer | Social, active, symbiotic with anemones | Algae, small invertebrates |
 | Royal Gramma | Gramma loreto | 3" | 5-10 yrs | 72-80 F | 8.1 - 8.4 | Egg layer | Peaceful, hides in rocks | carnivorous - crustaceans |
 | Blue Tang | Paracanthurus hepatus | 12" | 8-20 yrs | 72-82 F | 8.1 - 8.4 | Egg layer | Active, aggressive | Algae |
 | Mandarin Dragonet | Synchiropus splendidus | 2.5" | 3-5 yrs | 74-80 F | 8.1 - 8.4 | Egg layer | Peaceful, floor dweller | carnivorous - crustaceans |
 | Yellow Tang | Zebrasoma flavescens | 8" | 8-12 yrs | 72-78 F | 8.1 - 8.4 | Egg layer | Active, | Herbivorous algae |
 | Fire Fish | Nemateleotris magnifica | 3" | 3-5 yrs | 72-80 F | 8.1 - 8.4 | Egg layer | timid | carnivorous - crustaceans |
 | Banggai Cardinalfish | Pterapogon kauderni | 3" | 3-5 yrs | 77-82 F | 8.1 - 8.4 | Mouth Brooder - eggs in mouth | sociable, monohamous pairs | carnivorous - crustaceans |
 | Blue Devil Damselfish | Chrysiptera cyanea | 3" | 5-8 yrs | 72-80 F | 8.1 - 8.4 | Egg layer | Territorial, aggressive | Omnivorous |
 | six-line wrasse | Pseudocheilinus hexataenia | 3" | 5-7 yrs | 72-80 F | 8.1 - 8.4 | Egg layer | Active, jumper | Carnivorous, small invertebrates |
 | Green Mandarin Dragonet | Synchiropus splendidus | 4" | 3-5 yrs | 74-80 F | 8.1 - 8.4 | Egg layer | Peaceful, floor dweller | Carnivorous, small invertebrates |
 | Flame Angelfish | Centropyge loriculus | 4" | 5-7 yrs | 72-78 F | 8.1 - 8.4 | Egg layer | Semi-aggressive | Omnivorous |
 | Royal Dottyback | Pictichromis paccagnellae | 3" | 5-8 yrs | 72-78 F | 8.1 - 8.4 | Egg layer | Aggressive to smaller species | Carnivorous, small invertebrates |
 | Bicolor Blenny | Ecsenius bicolor | 3" | 4-6 yrs | 72-80 F | 8.1 - 8.4 | Egg layer | Peaceful, perches on ricks | Algae |
 | Coral Beauty Angelfish | Centropyge bispinosa | 4" | 5-7 yrs | 72-78 F | 8.1 - 8.4 | Egg layer | Semi aggressive, may nip coral polyps | Omnivorous |
 | Pajama Cardinalfish | Sphaeramia nematoptera | 3" | 3-5 yrs | 72-80 F | 8.1 - 8.4 | Egg layer | Sociable, forms small groups | carnivorous - crustaceans |
 | Yellowtail Damsel | Chrysiptera parasema | 3" | 5-8 yrs | 72-80 F | 8.1 - 8.4 | Egg layer | Territorial, can be aggressive | Omnivorous |
 | Orchid Dottyback | Pseudochromis fridmani | 3" | 5-8 yrs | 72-78 F | 8.1 - 8.4 | Egg layer | Territorial, can be aggressive | Carnivorous, small invertebrates |
 | Purple Firefish | Nemateleotris decora | 4" | 3-5 yrs | 72-80 F | 8.1 - 8.4 | Egg later | Timid, Jumps | Carnivorous, small invertebrates |
 | Flame Hawkfish | Neocirrhites armatus | 4" | 5-8 yrs | 74-80 F | 8.1 - 8.4 | Egg layer | Territorial, perches on coral | carnivorous, small fish, crustaceans |
 | Longnose Hawkfish | Oxycirrhites typus | 4" | 5-8 yrs | 74-80 F | 8.1 - 8.4 | Egg layer | Territorial, perches on coral | carnivorous, small fish, crustaceans |
 | Blue-Green Chromis | Chromis viridis | 4" | 5-8 yrs | 72-80 F | 8.1 - 8.4 | Egg layer | Peaceful | Omnivorous |
 | Yellow Longnose Butterflyfish | Forcipiger flavissimus | 7" | 5-8 yrs | 72-80 F | 8.1 - 8.4 | Egg layer | Peaceful | Carnivorous, small invertebrates |
 | Threadfin Butterflyfish | Chaetodon auriga | 7" | 5-8 yrs | 72-80 F | 8.1 - 8.4 | Egg layer | Peaceful | Carnivorous, small invertebrates |
 | Lyretail Anthias | Pseudanthias squamipinnis | 5" | 3-5 yrs | 74-80 F | 8.1 - 8.4 | Egg layer | Sociable | Carnivorous, small plankton, crustaceans |
 | Blue Jaw Triggerfish | Xanthichthys auromarginatus | 10" | 5-8 yrs | 72-78 F | 8.1 - 8.4 | Egg layer | Aggressive, needs ample swim space | Carnivorous, small fish, invertebrates |
 | Foxface Rabbitfish | Siganus vulpinus | 8" | 8-10 yrs | 72-80 F | 8.1 - 8.4 | Egg layer | Peaceful, venomous dorsal spines | Algae, seaweed |