Top 10 Easy-to-Care-For Saltwater Fish for Beginners

So, you've decided to dive into the world of saltwater aquariums. Congratulations!

As a budding saltwater fish enthusiast, you may wonder where to start. When selecting fish, it's important to keep in mind their temperament, eating habits, and tank and temperature requirements. You want to answer these questions before purchasing your new fish family.

Luckily, you're not alone in your decision-making — we're here to help! We've created a list of the top 10 easy-to-care-for saltwater fish for beginners. While this list isn't exhaustive, it should offer helpful information and give you a solid place to start.

1. Ocellaris Clownfish

One of the best and most popular fish (thanks to animated movies) for a newly established saltwater tank is the ocellaris clownfish. These small dynamos are reef-safe, peaceful, and thrive easily in a spacious environment since they're only 2" to 3" in length as adults. Shades of black, white, and orange offer glimpses of bright colors for any new marine environment. These fun-loving fish require at least a 10-gallon tank, but if you have more than one, you may want to consider something a little larger. Clownfish are omnivores and love crevices and jumping — so a secure cover, such as a mesh lid, is a must.

2. Neon Goby

Neon gobies make unique additions to any new tank. They are fun to watch with their long, almost eel-like bodies and bright blue stripes. These small bottom-dwellers (about 2") are peaceful and get along with most fish. In fact, neons make particularly outstanding tankmates with clownfish and firefish gobies. Neon gobies can be territorial with their own kind, so start with one unless it's a mated pair. Neon gobies are carnivores and enjoy freeze-dried treats as well as high-protein pellets. Neons don't require a lot of space, so a 10-gallon tank makes a perfect home.

3. Firefish

Firefish (aka fire goby) are ideal for beginners because they are small (up to 3"), reef-safe, and peaceful. With their elongated dorsal fin, these fish have an almost other-worldly appearance. Firefish can be shy in new surroundings but should acclimate in any 10-gallon tank over time. As a carnivore, firefish enjoy a varied, meat-based diet. Adult firefish generally enjoy "the single life," so one fish may be sufficient. You'll need a larger aquarium if you add a second. While peaceful, you may want to avoid mixing firefish with damsels — they don't always play well together. Firefish love to jump, so keep your lid secure!

4. Sixline Wrasse

Sixline wrasse is hard to beat if you love color and unique patterns. With their vivid blueish-purple coloring that creates six lines, these fish are certain to brighten up any aquarium. While wrasses are peaceful, they can become mildly aggressive with newly added fish, so they should be one of the last fish added to the tank. These carnivorous fish enjoy meat-based pellets, freeze-dried foods, and flakes. A 10-gallon aquarium is all you need to accommodate these small fish (about 3"), making them a great addition to any hobbyist's fish family.

5. Royal Gramma

Royal grammas are hardy and peaceful, making them an obvious choice for any beginner. Grammas' bright colors make them easy to spot, even though they tend to hide in crevices and cave-like structures. Because royal grammas are a bit territorial with other grammas, they should live "the single life" in a 30-gallon tank or larger. These carnivorous fish (about 3") are reef-safe, so they'll leave invertebrates and other fragile ecosystems alone. Grammas enjoy a varied meat-based diet.

6. Pajama Cardinalfish

Pajama cardinalfish are colorful, reef-safe, and peaceful. Cardinalfish travel in groups in the wild but can live comfortably alone in a 10-gallon tank. These small, nocturnal carnivores (about 3.5") enjoy brine shrimp, mysis, and small plankton foods that they can hunt at night. To train them to eat flake, freeze-dried, or pellet foods, feed small amounts just before "lights out" to adapt them to dry foods.

7. Yellow or Bluespotted Watchman Goby

Yellow watchman gobies are reef-safe fish that love to burrow with their favorite tank mate, the pistol shrimp. These brightly-colored fish (up to 4") prefer to live with a mate. A 30-gallon tank filled with sand or fine gravel is perfect for this bonded pair. You also want a very secure lid because when they're not burrowing, they're jumping! Watchman gobies are carnivorous and enjoy eating various meat-based foods.

8. Blue Green Chromis

Blue green chromis (aka damselfish) are small fish (about 3") with a mesmerizing iridescent, light blue-green coloring. These shiny beauties prefer to live in small groups (three to five fish), so a 30-gallon tank or larger is best. While these omnivores are reef-safe, they have been known to nibble on growing invertebrates, so keep watch until your tank fully matures. Blue green chromis' peaceful and active personalities make them perfect for beginners.

9. Yellowtail Blue Damsel

Yellowtail blue damsels are hardy, small (about 2.5"), and usually peaceful fish. Their bright blue and yellow coloring makes them easy to spot, even when hiding in small spaces. These carnivorous fish require at least a 20-gallon tank for an individual and a bit larger if kept in small groups. The vibrant coloring these fish offer adds a splash of color to any new tank.

10. Bicolor Blenny or Two-Colored Blenny

Bicolor blennies add a bit of personality to any aquarium. Blennies are uniquely colored, with one half a blueish-brown and the other half a dull orange. These fish tend to stay near the bottom of the tank, among corals and rocks. While bicolor blennies are reef-safe, they will occasionally nibble on clams and large stony corals if underfed. As a larger herbivore (about 4"), you want to feed blennies freeze-dried foods. Blennies require at least a 30-gallon tank to remain healthy and stress-free.

You Don't Have to Be an Expert to Have a Saltwater Aquarium

Selecting the best fish for your first saltwater aquarium can feel overwhelming. But you're not alone on this journey! Amazing helps, like the free Aqueon BlueIQ app, will help you learn about your fish and how to properly maintain a saltwater tank that fits your space and budget.

Your local aquarium shop or fish club should also have helpful recommendations, so arm yourself with as much information as possible. Remember, you don't have to be an expert; you just need to do a little research and have a splash of patience.