Best saltwater fish for a 55 gallon reef tank

A 55 gallon reef tank is the first size here for the coral beauty and the herald's and half-black angelfish. They list 50 to 55 gallons (190 to 210 liters). It also opens up Carpenter's flasher wrasse, the divided leopard wrasse and the adorned wrasse. Every fish in the list is widely sold, rated for community tanks and lists a minimum tank of 55 gallons or less.

Keeping a freshwater tank? Freshwater fish for a 55 gallon tank →

Tank size: 5–55 gal; 5 gal (19 L) to 55 gal (210 L); half the list needs 29 gal (110 L) or more
Temperature: 72–81°F; 22–27°C, most of the list
pH: 8.1–8.4; Most of the list
Difficulty: 34 easy; 5 medium · 1 difficult
Temperament: 22 peaceful; 18 mostly peaceful
Reef safety: 33 reef safe; 7 reef safe with caution

40 species

New at this size

What a 55 gallon adds over a 40

The coral beauty angelfish lists 50 gallons (190 liters), and the herald's and half-black angelfish 55 gallons (210 liters). All three are marked reef safe with caution and one male per tank. Carpenter's flasher wrasse lists 53 gallons (200 liters) and lives in groups. The divided leopard wrasse and the adorned wrasse start here too.

Stocking plans

Three ways to stock a 55 gallon tank

Each plan below ran through the stocking calculator, which reads every fish at its adult size against its minimum tank. Open one to change the counts or swap in your own fish.

A coral beauty over clownfish
Comfortable
LightComfortableFullHeavyOverstocked
These species overlap at 75–79°F (24–26°C), pH 8.1–8.4.
Open this plan in the stocking calculator
Flasher wrasses with pajama cardinals
Comfortable
LightComfortableFullHeavyOverstocked
These species overlap at 75–81°F (24–27°C), pH 8.1–8.4.
Open this plan in the stocking calculator
Green chromis with a clownfish pair
Comfortable
LightComfortableFullHeavyOverstocked
These species overlap at 75–79°F (24–26°C), pH 8.1–8.4.
Open this plan in the stocking calculator

By the numbers

Smallest

Largest

Most peaceful

Fits a 20 gallon tank

Fits a 30 gallon tank

FAQ

Common questions

How many fish can go in a 55 gallon reef tank?

A 55 gallon reef holds a coral beauty over a clownfish pair, a royal gramma and a firefish. Three flasher wrasses with three pajama cardinals and a watchman goby fit as well. Run your own mix through the stocking calculator, which checks each fish against its minimum tank.

Which anthias fit a 55 gallon tank?

None of the anthias on these pages fit a 55 gallon tank. Dispar anthias list 70 gallons (265 liters) and purple queen anthias 75 gallons (285 liters), so both start on the 75 gallon page.

Can a tang live in a 55 gallon tank?

The tomini tang lists 70 gallons (265 liters), so it starts on the 75 gallon page. The yellow tang lists 100 gallons (380 liters).

Can a maroon clownfish live in a 55 gallon tank?

A maroon clownfish lists 40 gallons (150 liters), so it fits on size. It is marked aggressive and one per tank, so it stays off these community lists.

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