Beginner Guides, Saltwater Fish Care
10 Best Beginner Saltwater Fish
Jul
Not every saltwater fish demands expert-level care. These ten species are known for tolerating the learning curve of a first marine tank.
1. Clownfish
Hardy and iconic, see our full Clownfish Care Guide.
2. Damselfish
Extremely hardy, though can be territorial — see our damsels & chromis guide.
3. Chromis
A more peaceful alternative to damsels, good for a community reef.
4. Firefish Goby
Peaceful and reef-safe, though prone to jumping without a secure lid.
5. Cardinalfish
Calm and easy to feed — see our cardinalfish guide.
6. Blennies
Characterful algae grazers — see our blenny care guide.
7. Basslets
Hardy and colorful, detailed in our basslet guide.
8. Yellow Tang
Popular and hardy, though needs a larger tank as it matures — see our tang care guide.
9. Coral Beauty Angelfish
A hardy dwarf angelfish, generally more reef-tolerant than larger angelfish species.
10. Percula Clownfish
A slightly smaller, equally hardy relative of the classic ocellaris clownfish.
Before You Buy
Make sure your tank is properly cycled using live rock or a fishless method (see How to Cycle a New Aquarium) before adding any of these species.
