7 Coolest Saltwater Aquarium Fish for Beginners

Here is a list of the 7 coolest saltwater aquarium fish for beginners. If you are looking for a cool saltwater fish, you might want to start with the list here.

Criteria for inclusion in this list

To make this very exclusive list, the fish must be:

• Very cool
• Relatively inexpensive
• Hardy
• Did I mention cool?

What do these criteria mean in practice?

Hardy fish are those that can tolerate the typical ups and downs of a new saltwater aquarium. This includes some resilience to minor fluctuations in water parameters (like salinity, temperature, and pH), a reasonable resistance to common diseases, and the ability to adapt to a variety of foods (not just live or specialty diets). Hardy fish are less likely to succumb to stress or minor mistakes, which is especially important for beginners still mastering the basics of marine husbandry.

Relatively inexpensive means these fish are generally affordable compared to many marine species, though some may still cost up to $40 or so. For beginners, this matters because there is a learning curve, and the risk of accidental loss is higher in a new aquarium. Lower cost helps reduce the financial impact of early mistakes.

Temperament and compatibility are also key. Beginner-friendly fish should generally get along with other common species and not be overly aggressive or territorial, though some exceptions are included here for their unique appeal. Feeding requirements are considered as well—fish that readily accept prepared foods are much easier for new aquarists to keep healthy.

Of course, coolness is subjective. For this list, I’ve balanced visual appeal and personality with practical husbandry considerations. Some fish here may be slightly impractical for certain setups due to size, aggression, or specific dietary needs, but their unique traits make them worth considering for many beginners. Be sure to read the pros and cons for each species to see if they fit your particular situation.

Caveat 1: The fish can also be slightly impractical, for one reason or another, so be sure to read the whole article to get the pros and cons. The fishes on this list of the 7 coolest saltwater aquarium fish for beginners are not going to be appropriate for every situation.

Caveat 2: I’m being a bit liberal in my definition of ‘relatively inexpensive’. Some of the fish on this list can cost ~ $40…er…sorry…but coolness has a price.

How the list was compiled

I asked the coolest person I know…but they think saltwater aquariums are nerdy, so I made the list up myself.

7 coolest saltwater aquarium fish for beginners

#7: Longnose Hawkfish

You didn’t see that one coming, did you? The Longnose Hawkfish is truly one of my favorite fish. I know that I’ve probably said that 300 times on this website already–and I may end up saying it 2 or 3 times just on this page alone–but these fish are awesome.

Just take a look.

They look like they’re covered in peppermint graph paper. I’m in nerd heaven.

They’re amazing. And cool. Here’s the deal:

Longnose Hawkfish grow to about 5 inches in total length, which makes them appropriate for most tanks sized ~30 gallons or more. They love to perch and have a lot of personality.

A few important notes for beginners: Longnose Hawkfish are known for their predatory instincts toward small crustaceans—so you can’t keep them with small, walking invertebrates like peppermint shrimp or crabs because they will eat them. This is a common failure mode for new aquarists who want a mixed reef with inverts.

They can also be territorial, especially toward other hawkfish, and may show aggression if space is limited. Another thing to watch for: they are notorious jumpers, so a tight-fitting lid is a must to prevent escape. On the plus side, they usually accept a wide variety of prepared foods and do well in tanks with plenty of rockwork and perching spots.

I don’t think you will want to start with them as the very first fish in your aquarium, but it certainly is appropriate for a beginner who has demonstrated the basic reef-keeping capabilities.

Not sold on the longnose? Check out the flame hawkfish instead.

#6: Six Line Wrasse

#6 on this list of the coolest saltwater aquarium fish is the Six Line Wrasse. This little wrasse-cal is a hardy, inexpensive and fun little trouble maker that will zip around your tank and clean up any small bristle worms.

They also have the most amazing, and awesome eyes. Staying in the wrasse family, another popular choice is the Melanurus wrasse. The only reason I didn’t choose that wrasse over the 6-line is the price tag.

A word of caution: Six Line Wrasses are notorious for their aggressive tendencies, especially toward other wrasses and similar-shaped fish. In smaller tanks or if added before more peaceful species, they may bully new tankmates, making them difficult to manage in a community setup. For best results, add them later in your stocking order and provide a tank of at least 30 gallons with plenty of hiding places. They are also skilled jumpers, so a secure lid is essential. While they do help control some pests, don’t expect them to eliminate all bristle worms or other nuisances. Feeding is generally easy—they accept most prepared foods.

#5: Neon Goby

Okay, I won’t say it here, but I’ve written about the neon goby before. They are one of my favorite fish. Darn it. There I go again. They have an electric-bright (neon) stripe and they are cleaner fish–they’ll swim around your other fish and pick off dead scales and parasites.

This small, inexpensive, typically aquacultured fish is inexpensive, hardy, and has a ton of personality.

Neon Gobies are classic cleaner fish, but it’s important to understand the limits of their cleaning abilities—they may help pick at parasites and dead tissue, but should not be relied upon as your primary defense against disease. Their small size and peaceful nature make them vulnerable to larger or aggressive tankmates, so choose companions carefully. They do well in small groups or pairs, and readily accept a variety of prepared foods. The widespread availability of aquacultured specimens means they’re generally hardy and adapt well to aquarium life.

#4: Percula clownfish

What list of beginner fish would be complete without a clownfish? Disclaimer here, many of the clownfish species and varieties could typically be considered one of the coolest saltwater aquarium fish for beginners–but here is my rationale for why I picked the Percula Clownfish. Percs are still pretty common, but not as common as the ocellaris clownfish (amphiprion ocellaris).

They are a little more expensive than common clowns, but not as expensive as some of the designer varieties, like the Picasso Clownfish, which is a variety of the same species. They are relatively smaller (compared with the larger species like maroon clownfish) and they are less territorial than some of the larger clowns.

A few things to keep in mind: Clownfish have a unique social structure, with a dominant female and a subordinate male in a pair. Aggression can develop, especially as they mature or if tank space is limited. While generally peaceful, they may defend their territory, particularly if kept in small tanks or with other clownfish species. Not all clownfish will host anemones in captivity, and hosting is not required for their health. For best results, keep a single individual or a carefully introduced pair in a tank of at least 20 gallons.

Overall, that makes them one of the coolest saltwater fish for beginners.

#3: Midas Blenny

Looking for a boldly colored, fearless fish to dash across your tank? Look no further than the #3 coolest saltwater aquarium fish for beginners–the Midas Blenny. Named after King Midas, the legendary fish aficionado (that part wasn’t true but the rest is), the Midas blenny is relatively inexpensive, very hardy, and beautiful to look at.

They are slender fish that seem to ‘slither’ through the water–and their blue-ringed eyes will shimmer in the light.

#2: Orchid Dottyback

You’re going to want some purple in your tank–and the coolest way to put purple in your tank is to get the #2 coolest saltwater fish for beginners–the orchid dottyback, pseudochromis fridmani. This dottyback is commonly aquacultured and will be a great addition to any tank about 30 gallons or larger. They are a brilliant purple color and they have a black line that runs up their head through their eyes.

They can be a bit territorial, at times, but so can most of the fish on this list. Orchid Dottybacks are especially territorial toward similar-shaped or colored fish, so it’s best to avoid keeping them with other dottybacks or similar species. Providing plenty of rockwork and hiding spots helps reduce aggression by allowing them to establish their own territory. Aquacultured specimens are widely available, offering benefits like increased hardiness, reduced aggression, and less impact on wild populations.

I also don’t have a great picture of this fish–so you can find some better pictures here:

#1: Banggai Cardinalfish

Drum roll please–oh wait, you probably already read the title above this paragraph. The #1 coolest saltwater aquarium fish for beginners is… (any guesses?) yes–the Banggai Cardinalfish.

In the wild, these fish are only found in the Banggai islands, in Indonesia. They are on the endangered species list–but they are also one of the easiest saltwater fish to breed in captivity. They are the first saltwater fish that I bred and that got me completely hooked on them.

Never buy wild-caught Banggai. That’s a bad idea. Wild-caught Banggai Cardinalfish are at risk due to overcollection, and they often carry diseases or adapt poorly to aquarium life. Always choose aquacultured specimens, which are widely available and much hardier.

Banggai Cardinalfish are peaceful and do well in pairs or carefully managed groups, but aggression can occur if kept in groups without enough space or hiding spots. They are mouthbrooders, with fascinating breeding behavior, and readily accept a variety of prepared foods. Common beginner pitfalls include sudden deaths due to social stress or disease, so monitor group dynamics and maintain good water quality.

They are truly amazing. They are 50% stripes, 50% fins, and 50% big mouths. Totally cool. The only thing better than a Banggai cardinalfish is a tank full of them.

For more information

If you liked this article, you may also enjoy these other articles about cool saltwater fish for beginners:

• 20 Most Popular Saltwater Fish
• 5 Saltwater Fish to Avoid
• 21 Best Algae-eating saltwater fish
• Best saltwater fish for beginners

Conclusion

Well, I hope this list of the 7 coolest saltwater aquarium fish for beginners gave you a few ideas about where to start. Remember to use the criteria outlined above—hardiness, compatibility, cost, temperament, and feeding needs—when evaluating any fish for your aquarium, not just those on this list. Every tank is different, so consider your own setup and research each species further before making a purchase. What do you think—are there any fish you thought should be on this list?