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10 Best Saltwater Aquarium Fish For Beginners (With Pictures)

Lindsey Stanton Profile Picture

By Lindsey Stanton

Saltwater fish are some of the most colorful and interesting fish breeds in the aquarium hobby. Finding the right type of saltwater breed to add to your established saltwater aquarium can be tough. With so many amazing varieties available, we have a plethora of interesting breeds to choose from. Adding a new breed of saltwater fish is a fun-filled journey. We want our fish to stand out and boast their beautiful finnage, colors, and body shape.

This article will enlighten you on our top 10 saltwater aquarium fish breeds. Providing you with fish suitable for both novice and seasoned aquarists. Choosing fish for your aquarium is the best part. Letโ€™s get started!

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Why Choose Saltwater Fish?

Although it is rare to find saltwater fish breeds at a local pet store, these fish bring out the best in the hobby. Mimicking the fascinating ocean life in your very own aquarium is enticing. Saltwater fish are hardy, the majority are friendly with tank mates and they are the most interesting fish to own. All saltwater fish breeds do well in cycled salt-based aquariums. It is best to choose fish that will get along comfortably with the current saltwater inhabitants. Finding compatible tank mates for your fish is essential in maintaining a healthy variety of fish.

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The 10 Best Saltwater Aquarium Fish For Beginners

1. Angelfish

Angelfish
Image By: Vjacob1, Pixabay

Angelfish are one of the most popular saltwater fish in the hobby. They come in a variety of colors and sizes like the dwarf or large angelfish. They are easy to care for and suitable for beginners and expert fishkeepers alike due to their ability to handle being in captivity well. They are hardy and readily available at most large chain fish stores. They do well with a variety of peaceful fish and rarely cause trouble with their tankmates. It is important to keep them in their ideal conditions as seen in their natural habitat. Providing your angelfish with the correct requirements will portray a healthy and happy angelfish swimming amongst the aquariums.

Their natural beauty brings out the most in a saltwater aquarium, making them our number 1 choice.

  • Experience: Beginner
  • Diet: Omnivores
  • Minimum tank size: 60 gallons
  • Nature: Peaceful

2. Neon Goby

Neon-Goby_Jonathan-Churchill_shutterstock
Image By: Jonathan Churchill, Shutterstock

Neon goby fish are popular for their ability to live in saltwater aquariums that are on the smaller side. They thrive with other peaceful fish species. The neon goby has attractive navy-blue stripes that seem to โ€˜glowโ€™ under the correct lights. They display a sleek and intricate body that is rarely like other saltwater fish breeds. Neon goby fish are our premium choice for saltwater hobbyists who are just starting. They do well in smaller saltwater tanks and can withstand minor novice mistakes.

  • Experience: Beginner
  • Diet: Carnivorous
  • Minimum tank size: 25 gallons
  • Nature: Peaceful

3. Tangs

Tangs
Image By: Kjschroeder, Pixabay

Tangs are popular in aquarium hobbies. They come in a variety of colors and display a thin body structure. Tangs add a wondrous amount of color and attractiveness in larger saltwater tanks. There are many varieties to choose from. There are a variety of Tangs available on the market, giving your plenty of choice to choose from.

  • Experience: Beginner
  • Diet: Omnivorous
  • Minimum tank size: 80 gallons ย 
  • Nature: Peaceful

4. The Dottyback

Flashback Dottyback
Image Credit: Pavaphon Supanantananont, Shutterstock

The dottyback fish is colorful and makes a perfect fish for display. They can thrive in saltwater tanks on the smaller sides. ย These exotic fish bring out the color in aquariums. These fish have a particularly interesting coloring that draws hobbyists in. The common coloration appears to split a bright yellow and pink color into two. The head is dark pink and the rest of the body is yellow in appearance. These small fish have an aggressive side, so tankmates should be chosen wisely. A diet rich in protein-based food will keep their color strong and keep them healthy.

  • Experience: Beginner
  • Diet: Carnivorous
  • Minimum tank size: 30 gallons ย 
  • Nature: Semi-aggressive

5. Clownfish

clownfish
Image Credit: Taken, Pixabay

The orange and white striped fish is a common favorite. These attractive schooling fish are mesmerizing to view. Clownfish are exotic, yet surprisingly easy to care for. This makes them good fish for novice keepers, to begin with. Clownfish are quite active characters that like to be under the spotlight. They make a perfect fish for a saltwater aquarium centerpiece.

  • Experience: Beginner
  • Diet: Omnivorous
  • Minimum tank size: 100 gallons
  • Nature: Peaceful

6. Firefish Goby

Firefish appear to glow within the aquarium. Their colors are eccentric and rare. They get their name from their magenta-colored tail. An interesting trait of firefish is their elongated dorsal fin. These fish do well in calm and peaceful saltwater aquariums with easy-going tankmates. They do well in community aquariums and are hardy. Although firefish are hard to come by, the fascination this fish provides is worth the hunt.

  • Experience: Easy
  • Diet: Omnivorous
  • Minimum tank size: 40 gallons
  • Nature: Peaceful

7. Damsels

Damselfish
Image Credit: Juan Carlos Palau Dรญaz, Pixabay

These hardy fish come in a variety of colors. They prefer a ton of appropriately sized hiding places within the aquarium as they can be aggressive. If kept with peaceful and non-confrontational tank mates they will lose their semi-aggressive temper. They do well in exceptionally large saltwater tanks which seems to damper their aggressiveness even amongst other competing saltwater fish.

A bonus to damselfish is the lengthy list of color variations available on the market. This gives you plenty to choose from!

  • Experience: Intermediate
  • Diet: Carnivorous
  • Minimum tank size: 100 gallons
  • Nature: Aggressive

8. Green Chromis

green chromis
Image Credit: Zoosnow, PIxabay

These interesting fish portray an unusual green apple and neon coloring. They appear to glow with a vibrant green coloring that shimmers throughout the waters. They are hardy yet semi-aggressive to tankmates. The green chromis adds a flare of color to saltwater aquariums while being relatively easy to care for.

They like a lot of hiding spots to get away from potential fights. Piling and gluing large rocks to form a cave system works well as a hiding spot. Make sure you use aquarium-safe glue to secure the rocks. Hiding spots will make your chromis feel happier and safer within the aquarium.

  • Experience: Intermediate
  • Diet: Carnivorous
  • Minimum tank size: 100 gallons ย 
  • Nature: Aggressive

9. Cardinal Fish

cardinalfish
Image Credit: VIVIANE6276, Pixabay

Saltwater cardinalfish are easily distinguishable by their largemouth and a dorsal fin that is split in two. They grow to roughly 5 inches and come in a variety of patterns. They are not as colorful as other breeds of saltwater fish and their common color is made up of black and white stripes. They have excellent exotic finnage unseen by other fish breeds. Their unique appearance makes them sought out by seasoned hobbyists.

  • Experience: Intermediate
  • Diet: Carnivorous
  • Minimum tank size: 50 gallons ย 
  • Nature: semi-peaceful

10. Pipefish

pipefish
Image Credit: patrik jonson, Shutterstock

Pipefish are last on the list due to their difficulty to successfully keep them in captivity. These beautiful fish are ideal for seasoned aquarists with a well-established saltwater aquarium. Pipefish are interestingly built. Their body is dark yet colorful with a worm-like appearance. Their bodies end in needle-point tips that lead to a pair of eyes and a long tubular mouth. These fish make an interesting addition to saltwater aquariums.

  • Experience: Expert
  • Diet: Carnivorous
  • Minimum tank size: 50 gallons
  • Nature: semi-peaceful

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Conclusion

Choosing your saltwater fish can be made easy by ensuring you have the correct tank and equipment for the type of saltwater fish you want to get. It heavily depends on tank size and your level of experience with delicate fish. Although, most saltwater fish are relatively easy to keep in captivity. We hope this article has helped you to find the saltwater fish breed you desire the most!

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Featured Image Credit: Fridzema, Pixabay

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