Angel Fish Marine angelfish are perciform fish of the family Pomacanthidae. They are found on shallow reefs in the tropical Atlantic, Indian, and mostly western Pacific oceans. The family contains seven genera a...
Anglers & Frog Fish Spots, stripes, fringe, whiskers, warts and tassels on prickly skin cryptically conceal frogfish from predators and help them ambush prey. With body shapes and colors very similar to corals and sponge...
Anthias Fish These fishes belong in the "Order Perciformes" and placed in the "Suborder Percoidei" as members of the "Family Serranidae"(Groupers & Anthias) which then contains the "Subfamily Anthiinae." It consis...
Basslets Reaching and average length of two inches, Basslets are colorful, hardy, and generally peaceful aquarium specimens, although they can become territorial. If more than one member of the species is adde...
Bat Fish The oval-bodied, high-finned Batfish is unmistakable. It is found in coastal and brackish waters and in mangrove swamps. It often lies on its side "playing dead", floating like a leaf to avoid capture...
Blennies Bluntheaded, elongate and constantly active, Blennies make a cheerful addition to the aquarium, although they should be kept in a species tank rather than in a community collection. They naturally fre...
Box Fish These fish have a rigid body made up of bony plates covered with a sensitive skin that may be damaged by Cleanerfishes. The only flexible part is the caudal peduncle, where the most obvious growth occ...
Butterfly Fish Butterflyfish are colorful and attractive, but if they are not confident in the aquarium they will hide away from suspected dangers and provide you with little opportunity to appreciate them. Like man...
Carangidae Carangidae is a family of fish which includes the jacks, pompanos, jack mackerels, and scads. They are marine fish found in the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans. Most species are fast-swimming p...
Cardinal Fish Cardinal fish are generally slow-moving, often nocturnal fish that hide among coral heads during the day. However at the approach of a net, they can move very fast! They are usually found on coral ree...
Chromis Chromis are related to damselfish and clownfish, but are typically less aggressive. They enjoy being in a school of three or more, and make a spectacular display in large numbers. Chromis are ideal fi...
Clown Fish The average size of Clownfish is three inches and most are brightly colored with white stripes on the head or side of the body. This group of fish is extremely hardy, and is well suited to life in the...
Damsel Fish Damselfishes are small, busy fish that bob constantly around the coral heads, using them as their territory and retreating into them when threatened. Consequently, they are among the most agile of fis...
Dart Fish Characterized by their bright colors and elongated bodies, Dartfish make a great addition to a peaceful saltwater community or reef aquarium. They require an aquarium with plenty of hiding spots and a...
Dragonets Colorful, slow-moving Dragonets are some of the most interesting fish for the marine aquarium. Dragonets have special feeding requirements and should be housed in an established aquarium with large am...
Eels Most Eels reach a size between 24 to 36 inches. Eels feed mostly on fish and crustaceans, and most species adjust well to life in captivity and are very hardy inhabitants. A larger aquarium with adequ...
File Fish Filefish, like the Triggerfishes to whom they are related (and with whom they are classified by some authorities), have two dorsal fins, the first being a rudimentary spine which can be locked into po...
Foxface and Rabbit Fish The Rabbitfishes have deep oblong bodies and are fairly laterally compressed. The mouth is small and equipped for browsing on algae and other vegetation. The spines on the dorsal and anal fins are poi...
Gobies Comparatively little is known about this very large Family, which also contains one of the smallest vertebrates (Pandaka sp). In the wild, Gobies are found in several difference locations: tidal shall...
Groupers and Snappers Many juvenile forms of this large Family of predatory fish have become aquarium favorites. Equally popular are the Basslets, whose brilliant colors ensure them a permanent place in the marine aquarium...
Hawk Fish Despite their attractive appearance and friendliness, Hawkfish are predators - albeit of small prey. They rest or "perch" on a piece of coral and wait for food to pass by, at which point they dash out...
Hog Fish Hogfish feed on small fish, shellfish, and crustaceans, and make very hardy aquarium dwellers that adapt well to captivity. Provide Hogfish with a well-sealed lid, ample hiding places, and plenty of s...
Jaw Fish Behind the large mouth and eyes of these fish is a tapering cylindrical body. The main appeal of Jawfishes is their habit of constructing tunnels or burrows in the substrate into which they retreat wh...
Lion Fish These are the exotic "villains" of the aquarium. They are predatory carnivores that glide up to their prey and engulf it with their large mouths. The highly ornamental fins are not just there for deco...
Pine-cone Fish This small Family contains some interesting fish known to have existed millions of years ago. Their bodies are enclosed in the rigid covering of a few large scales fused together. They are deepwater f...
Pipe Fish Pipefish reach an average of eight inches. Pipefish are relatively hardy and adjust well to aquarium life if maintained in water conditions with low current and plenty of branching gorgonias, algae, o...
Puffer Fish Puffers are generally smaller than Porcupinefishes and smooth scaled. Their jaws are fused, but a divided bone serves as front teeth. These fish use their pectoral fins to achieve highly maneuverable ...
Rays Most rays that are available for the home aquarium are found on or around coral reefs, rocky reefs, or lagoons. In captivity, vitamin-enriched frozen squid, live ghost shrimp, and other meaty foods sh...
Scorpion Fish The size of these fish varies, but most members reach an average length of seven inches in captivity. Scorpions are hardy fish that adapt well to life in captivity. They usually prefer live foods, but...
Seahorses The average size in captivity of most Seahorses is approximately five inches. Seahorses are relatively hardy and adjust well to life in captivity if maintained in water conditions with low current and...
Squirrel Fish Squirrelfish are large-eyed nocturnal fish that hide by day among crevices in the coral reefs of the Indo-Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. They usually have red patterning on their elongate bodies, spines...
Sweetlips Fish in this Family are often classified in the Pomadasydae. They resemble Snappers, but differ from them in dentition details. The coloration of juveniles and adults differ quite dramatically. The Sw...
Tangs and Surgeon Fish Tangs are commonly referred to as Surgeonfish or Doctorfish, and make a wonderful addition to the reef or fish only aquarium. Members of this Family are characterized by their high profile and lateral...
Trigger Fish Members of this Family have acquired their common name from the characteristic locking and unlocking mechanism of the first dorsal fin. This fin is normally carried flat in a groove, but it can be loc...
Wrasses The Labridae is a very large Family, encompassing about 400 species. It is not surprising, therefore, that the body shape varies; some Wrasses are cylindrical, while others are much deeper bodied. Lik...