Have you ever dreamed of having your own slice of the ocean in your living room? A reef tank is a type of saltwater aquarium that recreates the conditions and diversity of a coral reef ecosystem. Reef tanks are not only stunning to look at but also fascinating to learn from. You can observe the interactions and behaviors of hundreds of different species of fish, corals, and other invertebrates. Reef tanks are also a great way to contribute to the conservation and research of coral reefs, which are under threat from climate change, pollution, and overfishing.
However, setting up and maintaining a reef tank is not as easy as it sounds. It requires a lot of planning, equipment, and knowledge. One of the most important decisions you will have to make is what kind of fish to keep in your reef tank. Not all saltwater fish are suitable for a reef tank. Some fish may be too aggressive, too large, or too destructive for your delicate corals and other tank mates. You want to choose fish that are reef safe, meaning they will not harm or bother your corals or other invertebrates.
To help you with this decision, we have compiled a list of the top 10 saltwater fish to keep in a reef tank. These fish are hardy, compatible, available, size-appropriate, and beautiful. They will add color, movement, and personality to your reef tank without causing any trouble. Before we get to the list, let me share with you a funny story that illustrates why choosing reef-safe fish is so important.
Years ago, I bought a lionfish for my reef tank. I thought it was a gorgeous and exotic fish that would make my tank stand out. I did some research and found out that lionfish are venomous and predatory, but I figured I could handle it. I made sure to buy only large, fast fish that could avoid or defend themselves from the lionfish. I also fed the lionfish regularly with frozen shrimp and live feeder fish.
Everything seemed fine for a while until one day. I noticed that my cleaner shrimp was missing. I searched the tank and found no trace of it. I thought maybe it had molted and hidden somewhere. A few days later, my firefish was gone too. Then my clownfish. Then my royal gramma. One by one, my fish started to disappear without a trace. I was baffled and frustrated. I checked the water parameters, the filtration system, the lighting schedule, and everything. Nothing was wrong.
Then one night, I decided to stay up late and watch my tank with a flashlight. To my horror, I saw the lionfish stalking and hunting down my remaining fish. It had been playing dumb during the day, pretending to be full and uninterested in its tank mates. But at night, it turned into a killing machine, devouring everything in its path. I realized too late that I had made a terrible mistake. I had introduced a fish that was not reef safe into my reef tank.
The next day, I returned the lionfish to the store and apologized profusely to the staff. They were very understanding and sympathetic. They told me that lionfish are one of the most common mistakes that beginner reef keepers make. They also gave me some advice on how to choose reef-safe fish for my tank. They recommended some of the fish that are on this list.
So learn from my mistake, and don’t buy a lionfish for your reef tank. Unless you want to end up with an empty tank and a guilty conscience. Instead, stick to the fish that are on this list. They are guaranteed to be reef safe and make your tank look amazing.
Our Top 10 Reef-Safe Fish
Now that you know why choosing reef-safe fish is so important, let’s get to the fun part: the top 10 saltwater fish to keep in a reef tank. These fish are hardy, compatible, available, size-appropriate, and beautiful. They will add color, movement, and personality to your reef tank without causing any trouble. Here they are, in no particular order:
- Ocellaris Clownfish: Since no list is complete without the infamous Nemo, we almost always have to include this striking fish. The Ocellaris Clownfish is one of the most popular and iconic reef fish, known for its orange, white, and black coloration and its symbiotic relationship with anemones. These fish are hardy, peaceful, and easy to care for. They can be kept in pairs or groups. They will host corals if no anemones are present. They are omnivorous and will accept most foods. They are also available in many designer varieties, such as snowflake, black ice, or mocha. If you want a fish that will make you smile every time you look at your tank, get an Ocellaris clownfish.
- Royal gramma: If you need to add a beautiful splash of color to your tank, get a royal gramma. This fish’s stunning purple and yellow body contrasts beautifully with the blue water. It inhabits caves and crevices in the wild, so it needs plenty of hiding places and live rock in the tank. It is peaceful, shy, and territorial. It will not bother corals or other fish as long as they stay away from its home. It is carnivorous and will eat small meaty foods. It is also very easy to care for and adapt to captivity. Get a royal gramma if you want a fish that will brighten up your tank.
- Banggai cardinalfish: If you want a fish that will add some elegance and grace to your tank, get a Banggai cardinalfish. This fish has a striking black-and-white body with long fins and spots. It is peaceful, schooling, and easy to breed. It can be kept in groups of six or more. It prefers a dimly lit tank with plenty of plants and rocks. It will not harm corals or other fish. It is omnivorous and will eat flake, frozen, or live foods. It is also one of the few marine fish that are commercially bred in captivity, which means you can support the conservation of this endangered species by buying tank-raised specimens. If you want a fish that will add some sophistication and style to your tank, get a Banggai cardinalfish.
- Firefish: This fish has a slender and colorful body, a long dorsal fin, and a forked tail. It comes in various colors, such as purple, red, or yellow. It is peaceful, timid, and active. It needs a tight-fitting lid to prevent jumping out of the tank. It likes to hide among rocks and corals during the day and come out at dusk and dawn to feed. It will not bother corals or other fish. It is carnivorous and will eat small meaty foods. It is also very hardy and easy to care for. If you want a fish, get a firefish that will add spice and excitement to your tank.
- Six-line wrasse: If you want a fish that will add some energy and personality to your tank, get a Six-line wrasse. This fish has a small and vibrant body with six horizontal stripes on it. It is peaceful, curious, and energetic. It likes to swim around the tank and hunt for small crustaceans and worms. It will not harm corals or other fish, except for other wrasses or similar-looking fish. It is carnivorous and will eat flake, frozen, or live foods. It is also very hardy and easy to care for. Get a Six-line wrasse if you want a fish that will add fun and charm to your tank and take care of potential pests.
- Watchman goby: If you want a fish that will add some character and humor to your tank, get a watchman goby. This fish has a bottom-dwelling body with a large head and eyes. It comes in various colors and patterns, such as yellow, pink, or blue. It is peaceful, shy, and burrowing. It likes to dig in the sand and form a symbiotic relationship with a pistol shrimp. The shrimp will dig and maintain a burrow for both of them to live in, while the goby will watch out for predators and signal the shrimp with its tail. They are often seen poking their heads out of the burrow or darting in and out of it. They will not bother corals or other fish. They are omnivorous and will eat flake, frozen, or live foods. They are also very hardy and easy to care for. Get a watchman goby if you want a fish that will add some comedy and teamwork to your tank.
- Midas blenny: If you want a fish that will add some personality and intelligence to your tank, get a Midas blenny. This fish has a long, slender body with a golden-yellow color and a comical expression. It is peaceful, playful, and intelligent. It likes to swim in open water and dart into holes when threatened. It can also change its color to match its surroundings or mood. It will not harm corals or other fish. It is omnivorous and will eat flake, frozen, or live foods. It is also very hardy and easy to care for. Get a Midas blenny if you want a fish that will add some wit and charm to your tank.
- Azure damselfish: If you want a fish that will add some brightness and cheerfulness to your tank, get an azure damselfish. This fish has a bright blue body with a yellow tail and a black spot on its dorsal fin. It is peaceful, schooling, and hardy. It can be kept in groups of three or more. It prefers a well-lit tank with plenty of live rock and corals. It will not harm corals or other fish. It is omnivorous and will eat flake, frozen, or live foods. It is also very easy to care for and adapt to captivity. If you want a fish that will add some joy and color to your tank, get an azure damselfish.
- McCosker’s wrasse: If you want a fish that will add some beauty and diversity to your tank, get a McCosker’s wrasse. This fish has a medium-sized body with a green color when male or a brown color with white stripes when female. They can change their sex from female to male if needed. They also have a red tail and blue markings on their face. They are peaceful, active, and colorful. They like to swim in open water and hide among rocks at night. They will not harm corals or other fish. They are carnivorous and will eat small meaty foods. They are also very hardy and easy to care for. If you want a fish that will add some elegance and variety to your tank, get a McCosker’s wrasse.
- Snowflake eel: If you want a fish that will add some uniqueness and intrigue to your tank, get a snowflake eel. This fish is actually not a fish but an eel with a white body covered in black spots. It is semi-aggressive, nocturnal, and predatory. It needs a large tank with plenty of hiding places and a secure lid to prevent escape. It will eat small fish and invertebrates if given the chance, so it should be kept with large and fast fish only. It is carnivorous and will eat large meaty foods. It is also very hardy and easy to care for. Get a snowflake eel if you want a fish that will add mystery and adventure to your tank.
These are the top 10 saltwater fish to keep in a reef tank. Ok, maybe the last one wasn’t technically a fish. It’s often high up on our list of inhabitants for a lively reef. These reef-safe fish, and eel, are sure to make your tank look amazing.
Final Thoughts:
We hope you enjoyed this article and learned something new about the top 10 saltwater fish to keep in a reef tank. These fish are all reef safe and make your tank look amazing. They will add color, movement, and personality to your reef tank without causing any trouble. They are also hardy, compatible, available, size-appropriate, and beautiful.
Choosing the right fish for your reef tank is one of the most important and fun decisions you will have to make as a reef keeper. You want to choose fish that are suitable for your tank size, equipment, and budget. You also want to choose fish that are compatible with each other and with your corals and other invertebrates. And, of course, you want to choose attractive and interesting fish to watch.
The fish on this list are some of the best options for any reef tank. They are guaranteed to be reef safe and make your tank look amazing. However, they are not the only options. There are many other reef-safe fish that you can explore and discover. The best way to find out more about them is to do your own research, visit your local fish store, or join an online forum or community of reef keepers.
Remember, a reef tank is a living and dynamic system that requires constant care and attention. It is not a static decoration that you can set up and forget about. It is a hobby that requires passion, patience, and knowledge. It is also a hobby that rewards you with endless beauty, diversity, and education.
So what are you waiting for? Start your reef tank today and enjoy the wonders of the ocean in your own home. And don’t forget to get some of our top 10 saltwater fish to make your reef tank complete.
