Starting as a new aquarist can be exciting and daunting as well. As a beginner, the process of choosing the ideal fish for your new aquarium might be hard. There’s just so much to think about! like the appropriate tank size, water conditions, and whatnot. But don’t worry! we are always at your service to clear the clutter and provide the best aquatic solutions. Sit back and relax as we discuss the top 12 Saltwater fish for Beginners.
Have you ever wondered: What fish are best for a newbie? This article is the answer to all your questions as we will be exploring the 12 best saltwater fish for beginners. These fish require minimal care, so you can maintain their lifestyle without much effort. Here’s what we will cover.
In today’s article, we will discuss why these fish are ideal for a beginner. Moreover, we will explore their beautiful appearance and how they add value to your tank. So, without any further ado, let’s get to it.
Here are twelve of the best saltwater fish for beginners:
Ocellaris Clownfish
The Ocellaris Clownfish is one of the easiest saltwater fish to care for. Straight out of the film “Finding Nemo”, this fish has all the vibrance your tank needs. Additionally, it has a peaceful temperament which allows it to coexist with most tankmates.
This fish requires a minimum tank size of 20 gallons, which is pretty easy to maintain. However, the larger the tank size the happier the fish. Generally, it thrives in stable waters with a temperature of 74 to 79 degrees Fahrenheit, and a pH of 8.0 to 8.4.
In addition, the Ocellaris Clownfish has an omnivorous nature. So, it won’t be choosy when it comes to diet. You can feed it meaty high-protein foods and plant matter, like some algae.
Besides its manageable nature, this fish boasts an unparalleled look. Generally, its body has an orange color adorned with bands. Additionally, these white bands are accented with black highlighted edges, completing the look. This fish also has a mesmerizing swimming behavior, like rowing its fins. Lastly, Clownfish are harmless to corals and have a symbiotic relationship with Anemones. So, your saltwater tank and its inhabitants are completely safe. All in all, this fish is easy to care for and perfectly safe for any average saltwater setup, making it the best saltwater fish for beginners.
Coral Beauty Angelfish
The Coral Beauty Angelfish is another exquisite saltwater fish for beginners. This dwarf fish needs minimal care, thanks to its hardy nature. Due to its remarkable adaptability, it can be managed in various tank conditions. In terms of behavior, this fish might nip at corals, occasionally. However, it generally exhibits a peaceful temperament towards other tankmates.
Talking about tanks, the Coral Beauty Angelfish requires a minimum tank size of 70 gallons. This space is needed as the fish thrives in open waters, swimming and nibbling on algae. Moreover, smaller tanks might make this fish territorial and aggressive towards tankmates. So, it’s best to fulfill its needs, it’s a small price to pay for the beauty it adds to your tank!
In terms of diet, the Coral Angelfish is an omnivore, so it won’t be picky. You can feed it both plant and animal matter to fulfill its dietary needs.
The Coral Beauty Angelfish is prized for its stunning appearance. It boasts a vibrant royal blue body adorned with orange and yellow highlights. These contrasting colors allow the fish to stand out in any saltwater environment. These striking colors make it a visually captivating addition to any saltwater aquarium.
McCosker’s Flasher Wrasse
The McCosker’s Flasher Wrasse is another best saltwater fish for beginners. This species of fish also has great adaptability. It can thrive in a wide variety of saltwater conditions. However, they do require plenty of live rocks and sandy substrate. This allows them to exhibit their natural burrowing behavior. In terms of behavior, this fish is peaceful and good for community tanks but avoid having more than one male in a single tank.
Regarding tank requirements, this fish needs at least a 55 gallon tank to thrive. The water pH and temperature must be ideal as well. Feeding them a varied diet of frozen and live foods ensures they remain healthy and vibrant.
Moving on to the looks, the McCosker’s Flasher Wrasse has a vibrant body. Males in particular have colorful bodies with many shades of orange, blue, and yellow. Moreover, it has elongated fins that flash during courtship displays. This mating behavior and active lifestyle doesn’t just add a dynamic appeal to your aquarium, it makes it one of a kind.
Diamond Goby
The Diamond Goby is a top-notch saltwater fish for beginners. Maintaining this fish requires minimal effort, thanks to its adaptability and hardiness. It can adapt to a wide range of marine environments, making it a popular choice among aquarists. Additionally, it has a peaceful temperament allowing coexistence with a variety of tankmates.
In terms of tank size, this fish requires a tank of at least 30 gallons. Moreover, a sandy substrate is mandatory as this fish is naturally a bottom feeder. It sifts through the substrate to find food. This behavior is a plus one as it helps to keep the tank clean.
Moving on to its mesmerizing looks, the Diamond Goby is as beautiful as a pearl. Its body has a pearly white color adorned with orange diamond-shaped spots. In addition to that, this fish has a unique swimming style that mimics a hummingbird. It hovers over the substrate, rapidly moving its fins while searching for food. This elegance and beauty are worth anything in the world if you ask me.
Firefish Goby
The Firefish Goby is the ideal saltwater fish for beginners. This fish has an adaptive and hardy nature. It requires minimum care and low- maintenance, thus popular among the fishkeeping community. Despite its name suggesting a fiery temperament, this fish is quite the opposite. This fish is very peaceful and behaves well with tank mates.
Talking about tank space, this fish needs at least a 20-gallon tank to survive. However, a bigger tank is better. In addition, it requires a stable water temperature of about 72 to 78 degrees Fahrenheit. The water pH should be between 8.1 to 8.4.
As mentioned above, this fish may thrive in a wider range of environments. However, un-ideal conditions will adversely affect its behavior and well-being.
Now moving on to the diet, this fish generally eats high protein and meaty foods. Brine shrimp and Mysis shrimp are its favorite and easy to manage so, diet isn’t a problem!
Lastly, this fish has a stunning appearance with a blend of white, yellow, and red hues. As the name suggests, this fiery look is a striking addition to any saltwater aquarium. Additionally, the Firefish Goby has an elongated body and darting swimming style. This behavior and dart-like body complete the Feisty and unique look.
Green Chromis
The Green Chromis is another saltwater fish for beginners. This fish has an adaptive nature and an easy-to-maintain lifestyle. Its hardiness allows it to thrive in a wide variety of saltwater conditions. Talking about behavior, this fish has a peaceful nature and gets along with tankmates.
In terms of tank size, the Green Chromis requires at least a 30 gallon tank to survive. However, larger tanks are better. The ideal water parameter is 72 to 78 degrees Fahrenheit and the pH should be 8.1 to 8.4. It’s good practice to provide the preferred conditions. However, the Green Chromis isn’t affected much by small fluctuations.
The Dietary requirements are pretty simple. It accepts most of the commercially prepared marine fish food. Flakes, pellets, and frozen options will do the job, so feeding the fish won’t be a hassle.
The Green Chromis are literally “pay less and get more”. This fish is a visual punch for such low maintenance. Generally, the Green Chromis have pale green bodies with a shimmering sheen on top. Their beautiful bodies reflect light, creating a mesmerizing display as they swim. Typically, these fish are kept in small groups as they prefer schooling behavior. This combined swimming style adds a burst of activity to your tank.
Lawnmower Blenny
The Lawnmower Blenny is an excellent saltwater fish for beginners. This fish has a hardy nature and adapts well to different saltwater conditions. Moreover, its algae-cleaning nature maintains the tank ecosystem by keeping it clean. In terms of behavior, this fish is peaceful, allowing it to coexist with a variety of tankmates. However, it’s best to keep only one blenny in one tank. Keeping more than one in a single tank might cause a territorial dispute.
In terms of tank size, the Blenny needs at least a 30 gallon tank with a temperature between 72 to 78 degrees Fahrenheit. The pH should be maintained between 8.1 to 8.4. It’s best to keep these parameters stable to maintain the fish’s well-being.
Moving on to the diet, the Lawnmower Blenny primarily eats algae. However, algae alone are not sufficient to fulfill its dietary needs. You can supplement its diet with spirulina or dried seaweed.
Visually, the Lawnmower Blenny isn’t a big deal. However, its unique behavior and engaging personality can make up for the looks. Generally, this fish has a mottled gray and brown body. Along with that, its face is very distinct. With a blunt snout and huge expressive eyes, this fish stands out. Moreover, it has a hyperactive nature, so you might see it darting around the tank. All in all, this fish is endless entertainment as it adds a lot of activity to the tank. Also, its cleaning nature is very practical for a beginner who doesn’t know much about cleaning tanks.
Flame Angelfish
The Flame Angelfish is one of the best saltwater fish for beginners, thanks to its hardy nature. This fish is easy to care for and requires minimum effort. However, stable water conditions must be provided for the well-being of the fish. This dwarf angelfish is generally peaceful. However, it might get slightly aggressive towards other dwarf fish. So, it’s best to keep them alone or in mating pairs.
Talking about tank requirements, this fish needs at least a 70 gallon fish tank. The water parameters must be maintained. Ideally, the temperature should be 72 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit and the salinity must be around 1.020-1.025. The pH must be between 8.1 to 8.4.
The Flame Angelfish can adapt well to reef and fish-only tanks. However, it might occasionally nip at corals.
In terms of diet, the Flame Angelfish is an omnivore. Generally, its diet includes algae, Mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, and high-quality angelfish preparations. Provide a varied diet as it helps maintain the fish’s color and health.
Lastly, the Flame Angelfish has a stunning appearance. It has a vibrant red-orange body accented with vertical black stripes. Moreover, the dorsal and anal fins are adorned with blue highlights on the edges. All in all, this fish has a vivid look and adds a dynamic appeal to the tank.
Pajama Cardinalfish
The Pajama Cardinalfish is another top choice of many beginners. Thanks to its hardy nature and adaptability, this is one of the best saltwater fish for beginners. It has a special ability to withstand beginners’ mistakes but it’s best to be careful. Generally, this fish is peaceful and compatible with other non-aggressive fish.
In terms of tank space, the Pajama Cardinalfish needs at least a 30 gallon tank. The tank water must have a stable temperature of about 72 to 78 degrees Fahrenheit and a pH between 8.1 to 8.4. Slight fluctuations shouldn’t be an issue however, it’s best to keep the tank stable.
Talking about diet, the Pajama Cardinalfish thrives on a variety of meaty foods. Frozen and live foods like brine shrimp and Mysis shrimp are best.
Along with flexibility, this fish has a unique appearance. In general, it has a silvery body with large red eyes. Moreover, there is a black and in the middle of the abdomen and its tail fin has unique polka dots. In essence, this eye-catching look paired with a peaceful nature makes it one of the best saltwater fish for beginners.
Longnose Hawkfish
The Longnose Hawkfish is an ideal saltwater fish for beginners. Because of its adaptability and hardy nature, this fish is best for new aquarists. Moreover, this fish is semi-aggressive, so it can coexist with peaceful tankmates. Ensure that they are the last ones added to the tank, this will prevent any possible aggression.
In terms of tank setup, this fish needs a 30 gallon tank with a lot of hiding spots. The tank parameters like temperature and water pH must be maintained.
Talking about Diet, the Longnose Hawkfish are carnivorous. High-protein foods like shrimp, and fish fillets are sufficient. Moreover, these are easily available in the market so feeding this fish isn’t a hassle.
Interestingly, the Longnose Hawkfish is well known for its robust immune system. This makes it less prone to disease and health issues. So, it’s naturally ideal for a beginner.
Moving on the looks, the Longnose Hawkfish has a unique red and white plaid pattern on its body. Additionally, it has a long snout resembling a hawk’s beak. Despite its bold appearance, this fish has a small size of around 5 inches. However, this is a plus point for the fish keeper as smaller fish are generally easier to maintain.
Blue Green Reef Chromis
The Blue Green Reef Chromis is another saltwater fish for beginners. Its exceptional adaptability and hardy nature allow it to thrive in many conditions. Additionally, this fish has peaceful and friendly behavior towards tank mates. Its interactive and schooling nature allows it to add a punch of activity to any saltwater setup.
In terms of tank size, this fish requires at least a 30 gallon tank to thrive, but bigger tanks are preferable. You should also provide it with a stable water temperature and standard water pH.
Talking about food, this fish has an omnivorous diet and isn’t a picky eater. In the wild, this fish feeds primarily on plankton. However, in captivity, foods like flakes, pellets, and frozen diets will do the job.
In addition to hardiness and easy feeding, this fish is an art piece for the tank. It boasts a shimmering blue-green body. Moreover, its active and engaging swimming behavior adds a lot of action to the tank. Thanks to its beauty, peaceful nature, and active lifestyle, this is the best saltwater fish for beginners.
Yellowtail Damselfish
The Yellowtail Damselfish is one of my favorite saltwater fish for beginners. This fish also has a hardy nature and adapts well to different saltwater setups. As a beginner, you won’t need a lot of effort to manage this fish as it needs minimum care. Additionally, this fish is very peaceful and gets along with most non-aggressive tankmates. It is safe for corals and reef invertebrates.
Just like other fish described above, this yellow beauty also needs at least a 30 gallon tank to survive. You must provide the standard 72 to 78 degrees Fahrenheit water temperature. The ideal water pH is 8.1 to 8.4. Small fluctuations won’t affect this fish much, thanks to its resilience and robustness.
In terms of diet, the Yellowtail Damselfish is an omnivore. It primarily feeds on zooplankton but you can supplement its diet with flake or pellet foods. Occasional treats like frozen or live brine shrimp and Mysis shrimp are also advised.
Talking about looks, this fish has all the vibrance your tank can wish for. Boasting blue bodies and bright yellow tails, these fish can transform your tank. Moreover, they have an active lifestyle which will add a dynamic look to your setup. In addition, it has an interactive habit of greeting the owner first at feeding time. So you won’t get bored, that’s for sure!
More Saltwater Fish for Beginners
For more interesting fish that dwell the unknown waters, keep following our articles! But for now, here is a list of more Saltwater fish for Beginners.
- Royal Gramma Basslet
- Banggai Cardinalfish
- Helfrichi Firefish
- Mandarin Dragonet
- Chalk Bass
- Candy Cane Pipefish
- Yellow Tang
- Six Line Wrasse
- Starry Blenny
- Orange-Diamond Goby
- Watchman Goby
- Yellow Coris Wrasse
FAQ’s
What is the best saltwater tank for beginners?
If you’re planning to set up a saltwater tank as a beginner, here are some expert choices to get the most out of it.
- 50 gal System II Acrylic Aquarium
- North American Pet 40 Gal Show Acrylic Aquarium Junior Executive Kit
- Tetra Glass Aquarium 29 Gallons Rectangular Fish Tank
What are the best saltwater Fish for beginners?
As a beginner, you should always choose a fish that requires minimal effort to care for. It should be robust and adaptable so that it tolerates any possible mistakes from the owner. Ocellaris Clownfish, Green Chromis, and Royal Gramma Basslet are our top picks.
What are the best beginner Saltwater Fish for nano tanks?
Typically, nano tanks range from 10 to 30 gallons. The size of the tank must be compatible with the fish to figure out if it’s ideal or not. Here are the top 3 beginner saltwater fish for nano tank
- Ocellaris Clownfish
- Yellowtail Damselfish
- Firefish Goby
Conclusion
In summary, we discussed the Top 12+ Saltwater fish for Beginners. All the fish discussed in this article have a hardy and adaptable nature. These fish are either peaceful or semi-aggressive towards tankmates. Moreover, they have an easy-to-manage diet. All these factors combined with the beauty they offer make them ideal saltwater fish for an inexperienced aquarist.
Although the tank size may vary from fish to fish, most saltwater fish require a 30 gallon tank. The standard water temperature is 72 to 78 degrees Fahrenheit, and the pH is 8.1 to 8.4. In terms of diet, all the fish discussed are omnivores except the Longnose Hawkfish.
All in all, these saltwater fish are ideal for new aquarists as they can tolerate fluctuations and manage slight carelessness. Along with that, they have low maintenance and add a huge splash of beauty to the tank.
Let us know which saltwater fish you liked the most. We’d love to hear your thoughts and queries in the comments below!