Choosing the best reef aquarium fish starts with matching the fish to your tank size, aquascape, feeding routine, and coral or invertebrate plans. Some saltwater fish are truly reef-safe, some are reef-safe with caution, and others belong in fish-only or predator systems even though they are popular marine aquarium fish.
Direct answer: The best reef aquarium fish for most saltwater tanks are hardy, peaceful or moderately behaved species that do not usually eat corals. Good beginner-friendly reef fish include ocellaris clownfish, percula clownfish, yellow watchman goby, clown goby, neon goby, tailspot blenny, royal gramma, Banggai cardinalfish, pajama cardinalfish, firefish, purple firefish, and orchid dottyback. Larger reef tanks can also support tangs, wrasses, anthias, foxface rabbitfish, and other active swimmers when the tank is large enough.
Best reef aquarium fish quick picks
| Fish | Best fit | Minimum tank size | Reef safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ocellaris clownfish | Beginner reef tanks | 10 gallons | Reef safe |
| Yellow watchman goby | Nano and small reef tanks | 10 gallons | Reef safe |
| Tailspot blenny | Small reef tanks with rockwork | 10 gallons | Reef safe |
| Royal gramma | Colorful community reefs | 10 gallons | Reef safe |
| Banggai cardinalfish | Peaceful community tanks | 10 gallons | Reef safe |
| Firefish | Peaceful covered aquariums | 20 gallons | Reef safe |
| Orchid dottyback | Reef tanks needing a bold purple fish | 20 gallons | Reef safe |
| Kole tang | Larger algae-grazing reef tanks | 75 gallons | Reef safe |
| Flame angelfish | Mature reefs with caution | 70 gallons | Reef safe with caution |
| Foxface rabbitfish | Large algae-control systems | 125 gallons | Reef safe with caution |
How to choose the best reef aquarium fish
Before choosing a fish, check four things: adult size, minimum tank size, temperament, and whether the fish is safe with corals and invertebrates. A fish can be safe with corals but still unsafe with shrimp, crabs, snails, or tiny tankmates.
For a new reef tank, start with hardy, captive-bred, peaceful fish whenever possible. Add timid species before aggressive species, and avoid buying a fish only because it is small at the store. Many tangs, triggers, angels, puffers, and eels grow far larger than they appear as juveniles.
Also use a tight-fitting lid. Gobies, wrasses, dartfish, jawfish, and many other reef fish can jump when startled.
Clownfish
Clownfish are among the most popular reef aquarium fish because they are colorful, hardy, widely available, and generally safe with corals. Most will defend a territory, especially once paired or spawning, but they are still excellent choices for many saltwater tanks.
Clownfish are sequential hermaphrodites. Juveniles begin as immature males, and the dominant fish in a pair can become female. This is why two young clownfish can often form a bonded pair over time.
1. Ocellaris clownfish
The ocellaris clownfish is one of the safest starter choices for a reef aquarium. It is hardy, colorful, usually available as captive-bred stock, and compatible with many peaceful community fish.
- Scientific name: Amphiprion ocellaris
- Care difficulty: Easy
- Aggressiveness: Mild; peaceful except with other clownfish, damselfish, or when spawning
- Food: Omnivorous; offer a varied diet with meaty and plant-based foods
- Adult size: About 3 inches
- Minimum tank size: 10 gallons
- Safe with corals: Yes, reef safe
2. Snowflake clownfish
The snowflake clownfish is a designer variety of ocellaris clownfish. It has the same general care requirements as the standard ocellaris clownfish, but its white markings are more irregular and dramatic.
- Scientific name: Amphiprion ocellaris, snowflake designer type
- Care difficulty: Easy
- Aggressiveness: Mild; peaceful except with other clownfish, damselfish, or when spawning
- Food: Omnivorous; offer a varied diet with meaty and plant-based foods
- Adult size: About 3 inches
- Minimum tank size: 10 gallons
- Safe with corals: Yes, reef safe
3. Percula clownfish
The percula clownfish is similar in appearance to the ocellaris clownfish. It is a classic orange, white, and black clownfish and is a good option for many reef aquariums.
- Scientific name: Amphiprion percula
- Care difficulty: Easy
- Aggressiveness: Mild; peaceful except with other clownfish, damselfish, or when spawning
- Food: Omnivorous; offer a varied diet with meaty and plant-based foods
- Adult size: About 3 inches
- Minimum tank size: 10 gallons
- Safe with corals: Yes, reef safe
4. Picasso clownfish
The Picasso clownfish is a designer variety of percula clownfish. Like other clownfish, it is generally hardy and reef safe, but it may become territorial as it matures.
- Scientific name: Amphiprion percula, Picasso designer type
- Care difficulty: Easy
- Aggressiveness: Mild; peaceful except with other clownfish, damselfish, or when spawning
- Food: Omnivorous; offer a varied diet with meaty and plant-based foods
- Adult size: About 3 inches
- Minimum tank size: 10 gallons
- Safe with corals: Yes, reef safe
5. Maroon clownfish
The maroon clownfish is larger and more aggressive than ocellaris or percula clownfish. It is hardy and beautiful, but it needs more room and should not be treated like a tiny peaceful clownfish.
- Scientific name: Amphiprion biaculeatus
- Care difficulty: Easy
- Aggressiveness: Semi-aggressive; territorial with clownfish, damselfish, and during spawning
- Food: Omnivorous; offer a varied diet with meaty and plant-based foods
- Adult size: About 6 inches
- Minimum tank size: 30 gallons
- Safe with corals: Yes, reef safe
6. Tomato clownfish
The tomato clownfish is hardy, bold, and readily available. It can be a good reef fish, but it is more territorial than the smaller ocellaris and percula clownfish.
- Scientific name: Amphiprion frenatus
- Care difficulty: Easy
- Aggressiveness: Semi-aggressive; territorial with clownfish, damselfish, and during spawning
- Food: Omnivorous; offer a varied diet with meaty and plant-based foods
- Adult size: About 5 inches
- Minimum tank size: 30 gallons
- Safe with corals: Yes, reef safe
Surgeonfish and tangs
Tangs are active, open-water swimmers that spend much of the day grazing algae. They are reef safe with corals, but they need more swimming room than many other reef fish. Tangs also have a sharp scalpel-like spine near the tail that can be used during territorial disputes.
7. Yellow tang
- Scientific name: Zebrasoma flavescens
- Care difficulty: Easy
- Aggressiveness: Semi-aggressive with other tangs and territorial tankmates
- Food: Algae-based diet; will also eat meaty foods
- Adult size: About 8 inches
- Minimum tank size: 90 gallons
- Safe with corals: Yes, reef safe
8. Blue tang
- Scientific name: Paracanthurus hepatus
- Care difficulty: Intermediate
- Aggressiveness: Semi-aggressive with other tangs and territorial tankmates
- Food: Algae-based diet; will also eat meaty foods
- Adult size: About 12 inches
- Minimum tank size: 180 gallons
- Safe with corals: Yes, reef safe
9. Purple tang
- Scientific name: Zebrasoma xanthurum
- Care difficulty: Intermediate
- Aggressiveness: Semi-aggressive with other tangs and territorial tankmates
- Food: Algae-based diet; will also eat meaty foods
- Adult size: About 10 inches
- Minimum tank size: 125 gallons
- Safe with corals: Yes, reef safe
10. Kole tang
The kole tang is one of the more manageable tangs for medium-to-large reef tanks. It spends much of its time grazing film algae from rocks and glass.
- Scientific name: Ctenochaetus strigosus
- Care difficulty: Easy
- Aggressiveness: Semi-aggressive with other tangs and territorial tankmates
- Food: Algae-based diet; will also eat meaty foods
- Adult size: About 7 inches
- Minimum tank size: 75 gallons
- Safe with corals: Yes, reef safe
11. Powder blue tang
- Scientific name: Acanthurus leucosternon
- Care difficulty: Intermediate
- Aggressiveness: Semi-aggressive with other tangs and territorial tankmates
- Food: Algae-based diet; will also eat meaty foods
- Adult size: About 9 inches
- Minimum tank size: 125 gallons
- Safe with corals: Yes, reef safe
12. Orange shoulder tang
- Scientific name: Acanthurus olivaceus
- Care difficulty: Intermediate
- Aggressiveness: Semi-aggressive with other tangs and territorial tankmates
- Food: Algae-based diet; will also eat meaty foods
- Adult size: About 14 inches
- Minimum tank size: 125 gallons or larger
- Safe with corals: Yes, reef safe
13. Sailfin tang
- Scientific name: Zebrasoma veliferum
- Care difficulty: Intermediate
- Aggressiveness: Semi-aggressive with other tangs and territorial tankmates
- Food: Algae-based diet; will also eat meaty foods
- Adult size: About 15 inches
- Minimum tank size: 180 gallons
- Safe with corals: Yes, reef safe
14. Mimic tang
- Scientific name: Acanthurus pyroferus
- Care difficulty: Intermediate
- Aggressiveness: Semi-aggressive with other tangs and territorial tankmates
- Food: Algae-based diet; will also eat meaty foods
- Adult size: About 8 inches
- Minimum tank size: 125 gallons
- Safe with corals: Yes, reef safe
15. Powder brown tang
- Scientific name: Acanthurus japonicus
- Care difficulty: Intermediate
- Aggressiveness: Semi-aggressive with other tangs and territorial tankmates
- Food: Algae-based diet; will also eat meaty foods
- Adult size: About 8 inches
- Minimum tank size: 125 gallons
- Safe with corals: Yes, reef safe
Saltwater angelfish
Saltwater angelfish are beautiful, active fish, but they require more caution in reef tanks than clownfish, gobies, cardinalfish, or tangs. Dwarf angelfish are often kept in reef aquariums, but individuals may nip at coral polyps, fleshy LPS corals, clam mantles, or other sessile invertebrates.
16. Coral beauty angelfish
- Scientific name: Centropyge bispinosa
- Care difficulty: Intermediate
- Aggressiveness: Semi-aggressive with other angelfish and territorial tankmates
- Food: Omnivorous; offer plant-based and meaty foods
- Adult size: About 4 inches
- Minimum tank size: 70 gallons
- Safe with corals: Reef safe with caution; may nip corals or clams
17. Flame angelfish
- Scientific name: Centropyge loricula
- Care difficulty: Intermediate
- Aggressiveness: Semi-aggressive with other angelfish and territorial tankmates
- Food: Omnivorous; offer plant-based and meaty foods
- Adult size: About 4 inches
- Minimum tank size: 70 gallons
- Safe with corals: Reef safe with caution; may nip corals or clams
18. Bicolor angelfish
- Scientific name: Centropyge bicolor
- Care difficulty: Intermediate
- Aggressiveness: Semi-aggressive with other angelfish and territorial tankmates
- Food: Omnivorous; offer plant-based and meaty foods
- Adult size: About 6 inches
- Minimum tank size: 70 gallons
- Safe with corals: Reef safe with caution; may nip corals or clams
19. Majestic angelfish
The majestic angelfish is included here because it is a popular marine aquarium fish, but it is not a safe default choice for a coral reef tank.
- Scientific name: Pomacanthus navarchus
- Care difficulty: Intermediate
- Aggressiveness: Semi-aggressive with other angelfish and territorial tankmates
- Food: Omnivorous; offer plant-based and meaty foods
- Adult size: About 12 inches
- Minimum tank size: 180 gallons
- Safe with corals: No; likely to eat or nip certain corals
Wrasses
Wrasses can be excellent reef aquarium fish because many are active, bold, colorful, and useful at hunting small pests. The main caution is that the wrasse family is large and varied. Confirm the exact species before buying, because not every wrasse is reef safe or community safe.
Many wrasses also jump, so use a tight lid.
20. Six line wrasse
- Scientific name: Pseudocheilinus hexataenia
- Care difficulty: Easy
- Aggressiveness: Semi-aggressive; may chase or nip peaceful fish
- Food: Meaty foods
- Adult size: About 3 inches
- Minimum tank size: 55 gallons
- Safe with corals: Yes, reef safe
21. Melanurus wrasse
- Scientific name: Halichoeres melanurus
- Care difficulty: Easy
- Aggressiveness: Mild, peaceful
- Food: Meaty foods
- Adult size: About 4.5 inches
- Minimum tank size: 55 gallons
- Safe with corals: Yes, reef safe
22. Yellow coris wrasse
- Scientific name: Halichoeres chrysus
- Care difficulty: Easy
- Aggressiveness: Mild, peaceful
- Food: Meaty foods
- Adult size: About 5 inches
- Minimum tank size: 55 gallons
- Safe with corals: Yes, reef safe
23. Fairy wrasses
- Scientific name: Cirrhilabrus spp.
- Care difficulty: Easy
- Aggressiveness: Mild, peaceful
- Food: Meaty foods
- Adult size: About 5 inches
- Minimum tank size: 55 gallons
- Safe with corals: Yes, reef safe
24. Christmas wrasse
- Scientific name: Halichoeres claudia
- Care difficulty: Easy
- Aggressiveness: Semi-aggressive; may pester timid fish
- Food: Meaty foods
- Adult size: About 5 inches
- Minimum tank size: 55 gallons
- Safe with corals: Mostly reef safe; may eat small invertebrates
25. Red coris wrasse
- Scientific name: Coris gaimard
- Care difficulty: Intermediate
- Aggressiveness: Semi-aggressive; tends to become more aggressive with age
- Food: Meaty foods
- Adult size: About 15 inches
- Minimum tank size: 125 gallons
- Safe with corals: Mostly reef safe with corals; not safe with many small invertebrates
Gobies
Gobies are excellent reef aquarium fish because many species are small, hardy, peaceful, colorful, and full of personality. They are especially useful choices for nano tanks and smaller reef aquariums.
26. Diamond goby
- Scientific name: Valenciennea puellaris
- Care difficulty: Easy
- Aggressiveness: Mild, peaceful
- Food: Meaty foods
- Adult size: About 6 inches
- Minimum tank size: 30 gallons
- Safe with corals: Yes, reef safe
27. Yellow watchman goby
- Scientific name: Cryptocentrus cinctus
- Care difficulty: Easy
- Aggressiveness: Mild, peaceful
- Food: Meaty foods
- Adult size: About 4 inches
- Minimum tank size: 10 gallons
- Safe with corals: Yes, reef safe
28. Clown goby
- Scientific name: Gobiodon citrinus
- Care difficulty: Easy
- Aggressiveness: Mild, peaceful
- Food: Meaty foods
- Adult size: About 2 inches
- Minimum tank size: 10 gallons
- Safe with corals: Yes, reef safe
29. Neon goby
- Scientific name: Elacatinus oceanops
- Care difficulty: Easy
- Aggressiveness: Mild, peaceful
- Food: Meaty foods
- Adult size: About 2 inches
- Minimum tank size: 10 gallons
- Safe with corals: Yes, reef safe
Blennies
Blennies are another strong reef aquarium choice. Many perch on rockwork and graze algae, while others swim more openly in the water column. Most are easy to care for, but some may nip at corals or clams, especially if underfed or stressed.
30. Bicolor blenny
- Scientific name: Ecsenius bicolor
- Care difficulty: Easy
- Aggressiveness: Generally mild; may chase other blennies, dartfish, or gobies
- Food: Algae-based, varied diet
- Adult size: About 4 inches
- Minimum tank size: 30 gallons
- Safe with corals: Generally reef safe; may nip at corals or clams
31. Midas blenny
- Scientific name: Ecsenius midas
- Care difficulty: Easy
- Aggressiveness: Generally mild; may chase dartfish or gobies
- Food: Omnivorous; offer plant-based and meaty foods
- Adult size: About 6 inches
- Minimum tank size: 30 gallons
- Safe with corals: Yes, reef safe
32. Tailspot blenny
- Scientific name: Ecsenius stigmatura
- Care difficulty: Easy
- Aggressiveness: Mild, peaceful, shy, and prone to being bullied
- Food: Algae-based, varied diet
- Adult size: About 2.5 inches
- Minimum tank size: 10 gallons
- Safe with corals: Yes, reef safe
33. Lawnmower blenny
- Scientific name: Salarias fasciatus
- Care difficulty: Easy most of the time; acclimation and starvation can be challenging
- Aggressiveness: Mild, peaceful
- Food: Algae-based, varied diet
- Adult size: About 5 inches
- Minimum tank size: About 30 gallons
- Safe with corals: Generally reef safe; may nip at corals or clams
34. Starry blenny
- Scientific name: Salarias ramosus
- Care difficulty: Easy most of the time; acclimation and starvation can be challenging
- Aggressiveness: Mild, peaceful
- Food: Algae-based, varied diet
- Adult size: About 5 inches
- Minimum tank size: About 30 gallons
- Safe with corals: Generally reef safe; may nip at corals or clams
Hawkfish
Hawkfish are colorful, hardy, and full of personality. They perch on rocks and watch for food like tiny predators. They are generally safe with corals but not safe with small shrimp, crabs, snails, or very small tankmates.
35. Flame hawkfish
- Scientific name: Neocirrhites armatus
- Care difficulty: Easy
- Aggressiveness: Semi-aggressive; may squabble with hawkfish, gobies, and blennies
- Food: Meaty foods; may eat snails, crabs, or shrimp
- Adult size: About 4 inches
- Minimum tank size: 20 gallons
- Safe with corals: Yes with corals, but not safe with shrimp or small invertebrates
36. Longnose hawkfish
- Scientific name: Oxycirrhites typus
- Care difficulty: Easy
- Aggressiveness: Semi-aggressive; may squabble with hawkfish, gobies, and blennies
- Food: Meaty foods; may eat snails, crabs, or shrimp
- Adult size: About 5 inches
- Minimum tank size: 20 gallons
- Safe with corals: Yes with corals, but not safe with shrimp or small invertebrates
Anthias
Anthias are beautiful, active, open-water reef fish. They are more demanding than many beginner fish because they can be delicate during shipping and may need frequent feedings once established.
Anthias are also sequential hermaphrodites. In many groups, the dominant female can change sex and take over the role of male.
37. Ignitus anthias
- Scientific name: Pseudanthias ignitus
- Care difficulty: Intermediate
- Aggressiveness: Mild, peaceful
- Food: Meaty foods such as mysis shrimp and brine shrimp
- Adult size: About 3.5 inches
- Minimum tank size: 70 gallons
- Safe with corals: Yes, reef safe
38. Lyretail anthias
- Scientific name: Pseudanthias squamipinnis
- Care difficulty: Intermediate
- Aggressiveness: Semi-aggressive in smaller tanks or during feeding and territory disputes
- Food: Meaty foods such as mysis shrimp and brine shrimp
- Adult size: About 5 inches
- Minimum tank size: 125 gallons
- Safe with corals: Yes, reef safe
Butterflyfish
Butterflyfish are beautiful, but most are poor default choices for reef aquariums because many eat or nip corals, worms, clams, and other sessile invertebrates. Treat butterflyfish as advanced or species-specific choices unless you have verified the exact species and its feeding behavior.
39. Yellow longnose butterflyfish
- Scientific name: Forcipiger flavissimus
- Care difficulty: Intermediate
- Aggressiveness: Mild, peaceful
- Food: Meaty foods such as mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, and shellfish
- Adult size: About 9 inches
- Minimum tank size: 125 gallons
- Safe with corals: No; likely to pick at corals and non-moving invertebrates
40. Bannerfish / Heniochus butterflyfish
Heniochus species are often confused in the aquarium trade. Confirm the exact species before buying, especially if the fish will be added to a coral reef tank.
- Scientific name: Heniochus spp.
- Care difficulty: Easy to intermediate, depending on species and individual feeding response
- Aggressiveness: Mild, peaceful
- Food: Omnivorous; offer plant-based and meaty foods
- Adult size: About 8.5 inches
- Minimum tank size: 125 gallons
- Safe with corals: Species-dependent; many should be considered reef safe with caution or not reef safe
Cardinalfish
Cardinalfish are good community reef fish with large eyes, slow movements, and generally peaceful temperaments. Some can be kept in small groups, but individuals may pair off or become territorial with their own kind.
41. Banggai cardinalfish
The Banggai cardinalfish is one of the easiest marine fish to breed in an aquarium. The male holds the eggs and developing young in his mouth before releasing miniature cardinalfish.
- Scientific name: Pterapogon kauderni
- Care difficulty: Easy
- Aggressiveness: Semi-aggressive with other Banggai cardinalfish and some other cardinals
- Food: Meaty foods
- Adult size: About 3 inches
- Minimum tank size: 10 gallons
- Safe with corals: Yes, reef safe
Learn more about breeding Banggai cardinalfish and Banggai cardinalfish care.
42. Pajama cardinalfish
- Scientific name: Sphaeramia nematoptera
- Care difficulty: Easy
- Aggressiveness: Mild, mostly peaceful; may be mildly aggressive with other cardinalfish
- Food: Meaty foods
- Adult size: About 3.5 inches
- Minimum tank size: 30 gallons
- Safe with corals: Yes, reef safe
Dartfish
Dartfish are peaceful reef fish with elegant fins and bright colors. They are prone to being bullied by more aggressive fish and should be kept in covered aquariums because they can jump.
43. Firefish
- Scientific name: Nemateleotris magnifica
- Care difficulty: Easy
- Aggressiveness: Mild, peaceful, prone to being bullied
- Food: Meaty foods
- Adult size: About 3.5 inches
- Minimum tank size: 20 gallons
- Safe with corals: Yes, reef safe
44. Purple firefish
- Scientific name: Nemateleotris decora
- Care difficulty: Easy
- Aggressiveness: Mild, peaceful, prone to being bullied
- Food: Meaty foods
- Adult size: About 3.5 inches
- Minimum tank size: 20 gallons
- Safe with corals: Yes, reef safe
Basslets and grammas
45. Royal gramma
The royal gramma is one of the best reef aquarium fish for adding bright purple and yellow color to a peaceful community tank.
- Scientific name: Gramma loreto
- Care difficulty: Easy
- Aggressiveness: Mild, mostly peaceful; aggressive toward similar-looking grammas or dottybacks
- Food: Meaty foods
- Adult size: About 3 inches
- Minimum tank size: 10 gallons
- Safe with corals: Yes, reef safe
46. Chalk basslet
- Scientific name: Serranus tortugarum
- Care difficulty: Easy
- Aggressiveness: Mild, mostly peaceful; may be kept in groups in appropriate tanks
- Food: Meaty foods
- Adult size: About 3 inches
- Minimum tank size: 30 gallons
- Safe with corals: Yes, reef safe; may eat very small shrimp when larger
Marine bettas
47. Marine betta
The marine betta is a striking reef-safe fish with a bold pattern and secretive behavior. It is safe with corals, but it may eat small fish or shrimp if they fit in its mouth.
- Scientific name: Calloplesiops altivelis
- Care difficulty: Easy
- Aggressiveness: Mild, peaceful, may be bullied by more aggressive fish
- Food: Meaty foods; may also take pellets
- Adult size: About 8 inches
- Minimum tank size: 55 gallons
- Safe with corals: Yes, reef safe
Filefish
48. Aiptasia-eating filefish
The Aiptasia-eating filefish is valued because it may eat pest Aiptasia anemones. It is not a guaranteed solution, and it may nip corals or clams, so it should be considered reef safe with caution.
- Scientific name: Acreichthys tomentosus
- Care difficulty: Intermediate
- Aggressiveness: Mild, mostly peaceful; may be aggressive with other filefish
- Food: Omnivorous; varied diet with meaty and algae-based foods; may eat Aiptasia
- Adult size: About 3.5 inches
- Minimum tank size: 20 gallons
- Safe with corals: Reef safe with caution; may nip corals and clams
Rabbitfish
49. Foxface rabbitfish
The foxface rabbitfish is a popular algae grazer for large aquariums. It is generally peaceful and useful, but it has venomous spines and may nip corals or clams.
- Scientific name: Siganus vulpinus
- Care difficulty: Easy
- Aggressiveness: Mild, mostly peaceful
- Food: Algae-based diet
- Adult size: About 9 inches
- Minimum tank size: 125 gallons
- Safe with corals: Reef safe with caution; may nip corals and clams
Dottybacks
50. Orchid dottyback
The orchid dottyback is one of the better dottyback choices for reef aquariums. It is vivid purple, hardy, and reef safe, but it can still be territorial.
- Scientific name: Pseudochromis fridmani
- Care difficulty: Easy
- Aggressiveness: Semi-aggressive; territorial with dottybacks, grammas, and mild-mannered fish
- Food: Meaty foods
- Adult size: About 3 inches
- Minimum tank size: 20 gallons
- Safe with corals: Yes, reef safe
Squirrelfish and soldierfish
51. Blackbar soldierfish
Blackbar soldierfish are safe with corals, but they are predators of moving invertebrates and need appropriately sized tankmates.
- Scientific name: Myripristis spp.
- Care difficulty: Easy
- Aggressiveness: Mild, peaceful, may be bullied
- Food: Meaty foods; may eat shrimp, worms, crustaceans, and small invertebrates
- Adult size: About 8 inches
- Minimum tank size: 70 gallons
- Safe with corals: Yes with corals; not safe with many moving invertebrates
Chromis and damselfish
Chromis and damselfish are hardy and reef safe with corals, but many species become territorial. They are not always as peaceful as their small size suggests.
52. Blue green chromis
- Scientific name: Chromis viridis
- Care difficulty: Easy
- Aggressiveness: Semi-aggressive with other chromis and clownfish; otherwise often peaceful
- Food: Omnivorous; varied diet with meaty and algae-based foods
- Adult size: About 4 inches
- Minimum tank size: 30 gallons
- Safe with corals: Yes, reef safe
53. Blue damselfish
- Scientific name: Chrysiptera cyanea
- Care difficulty: Easy
- Aggressiveness: Semi-aggressive
- Food: Omnivorous; varied diet with meaty and algae-based foods
- Adult size: About 3 inches
- Minimum tank size: 10 gallons
- Safe with corals: Yes, reef safe
54. Yellowtail damselfish
- Scientific name: Chrysiptera parasema
- Care difficulty: Easy
- Aggressiveness: Semi-aggressive
- Food: Omnivorous; varied diet with meaty and algae-based foods
- Adult size: About 3 inches
- Minimum tank size: 10 gallons
- Safe with corals: Yes, reef safe
55. Domino damselfish
- Scientific name: Dascyllus trimaculatus
- Care difficulty: Easy
- Aggressiveness: Semi-aggressive
- Food: Omnivorous; varied diet with meaty and algae-based foods
- Adult size: About 5.5 inches
- Minimum tank size: 30 gallons
- Safe with corals: Yes, reef safe
Deep sand bed fish
Some reef fish need a deeper sand bed or special aquascaping to behave naturally. Burrowing fish can undermine rockwork, so make sure the rock structure is stable before adding them.
56. Engineer goby
- Scientific name: Pholidichthys leucotaenia
- Care difficulty: Intermediate
- Aggressiveness: Mild, peaceful, and often shy
- Food: Meaty foods
- Adult size: About 12 inches
- Minimum tank size: 55 gallons
- Safe with corals: Yes, reef safe; digging may cause rock slides
57. Bluespot jawfish
- Scientific name: Opistognathus rosenblatti
- Care difficulty: Intermediate
- Aggressiveness: Mostly peaceful; may fight with other jawfish
- Food: Meaty foods
- Adult size: About 3.5 inches
- Minimum tank size: 30 gallons
- Safe with corals: Yes, reef safe
58. Yellowhead jawfish
- Scientific name: Opistognathus aurifrons
- Care difficulty: Intermediate
- Aggressiveness: Mild, peaceful, and shy
- Food: Meaty foods
- Adult size: About 4 inches
- Minimum tank size: 30 gallons
- Safe with corals: Yes, reef safe
Aggressive and predator saltwater fish
The following fish are popular marine aquarium fish, but they are not good default choices for a peaceful reef aquarium. Some are safe with corals but unsafe with shrimp, crabs, small fish, or other invertebrates. Others are not reef safe at all and belong in fish-only or predator systems.
59. Dwarf lionfish
- Scientific name: Dendrochirus spp.
- Care difficulty: Intermediate; may struggle to accept prepared aquarium foods
- Aggressiveness: Aggressive predator of small fish and shrimp
- Food: Meaty foods; may require live saltwater shrimp or small fish during acclimation
- Adult size: About 7 inches
- Minimum tank size: 55 gallons
- Safe with corals: Yes with corals, but not compatible with small fish or shrimp
60. Clown triggerfish
- Scientific name: Balistoides conspicillum
- Care difficulty: Easy, but requires a very large aquarium
- Aggressiveness: Aggressive
- Food: Meaty foods; varied diet
- Adult size: About 20 inches
- Minimum tank size: 300 gallons
- Safe with corals: No, not reef safe
61. Picasso triggerfish
- Scientific name: Rhinecanthus aculeatus
- Care difficulty: Easy, but requires a large aquarium
- Aggressiveness: Aggressive
- Food: Meaty foods; varied diet
- Adult size: About 10 inches
- Minimum tank size: 180 gallons
- Safe with corals: No, not reef safe
62. Queen triggerfish
- Scientific name: Balistes vetula
- Care difficulty: Easy, but requires a very large aquarium
- Aggressiveness: Aggressive
- Food: Meaty foods; varied diet
- Adult size: About 24 inches
- Minimum tank size: 300 gallons
- Safe with corals: No, not reef safe
63. Niger triggerfish
- Scientific name: Odonus niger
- Care difficulty: Easy, but requires a large aquarium
- Aggressiveness: Aggressive
- Food: Meaty foods; varied diet
- Adult size: About 12 inches
- Minimum tank size: 180 gallons
- Safe with corals: No, not reef safe
64. Snowflake eel
- Scientific name: Echidna nebulosa
- Care difficulty: Easy
- Aggressiveness: Aggressive predator
- Food: Meaty foods; may eat small fish and shrimp
- Adult size: About 24 inches
- Minimum tank size: 55 gallons
- Safe with corals: Yes with corals, but not safe with crabs or shrimp
65. Dogface pufferfish
- Scientific name: Arothron nigropunctatus
- Care difficulty: Intermediate; diet and tooth care can be challenging
- Aggressiveness: Semi-aggressive; may eat shellfish and crustaceans
- Food: Meaty seafood; varied diet including shellfish and crustaceans
- Adult size: About 13 inches
- Minimum tank size: 75 gallons or larger
- Safe with corals: No; may chew corals and rockwork while wearing down teeth
Best reef aquarium fish by tank size
Good choices for 10 to 20 gallon reef tanks
- Ocellaris clownfish
- Percula clownfish
- Yellow watchman goby
- Clown goby
- Neon goby
- Tailspot blenny
- Banggai cardinalfish
- Royal gramma
- Firefish
- Purple firefish
Good choices for 30 to 70 gallon reef tanks
- Pajama cardinalfish
- Diamond goby
- Bicolor blenny
- Midas blenny
- Lawnmower blenny
- Starry blenny
- Flame hawkfish
- Longnose hawkfish
- Orchid dottyback
- Melanurus wrasse
- Yellow coris wrasse
- Fairy wrasses
Good choices for larger reef tanks
- Kole tang
- Yellow tang
- Purple tang
- Powder brown tang
- Powder blue tang
- Foxface rabbitfish
- Ignitus anthias
- Lyretail anthias
- Marine betta
Conclusion
The best reef aquarium fish are the species that fit your tank size, temperament plan, feeding routine, and coral or invertebrate goals. For most new reef tanks, start with hardy community fish like clownfish, gobies, blennies, cardinalfish, dartfish, royal grammas, and carefully selected wrasses.
For larger reef aquariums, tangs, rabbitfish, anthias, and some angelfish can add movement, color, and algae-grazing behavior. Just be honest about the tradeoffs: some fish are reef safe, some are reef safe with caution, and some belong in fish-only or predator systems.