Reef-safe aquarium fish
Reef-safe fish can share a tank with corals and inverts without picking at them. These profiles cover species rated reef safe, with tank size, temperament and any cautions to watch for.
156 species
Achilles Tang
Acanthurus achilles9.4 in (24 cm)180 gal (680 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Allen's Damsel
Pomacentrus alleni2.4 in (6 cm)29 gal (110 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Atlantic Blue Tang
Acanthurus coeruleus13.8 in (35 cm)151 gal (570 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Azure Damsel
Chrysiptera hemicyanea2.8 in (7 cm)29 gal (110 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Banggai Cardinalfish
Pterapogon kauderni3.1 in (8 cm)29 gal (110 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)
Barberi Clownfish
Amphiprion barberi3.5 in (9 cm)30 gal (115 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Bartlett's Anthias
Pseudanthias bartlettorum3.5 in (9 cm)70 gal (265 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Bellus Angelfish
Genicanthus bellus7.1 in (18 cm)85 gal (320 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Bicolor Anthias
Pseudanthias bicolor5.1 in (13 cm)125 gal (475 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Bicolor Dottyback
Pictichromis paccagnellae2.8 in (7 cm)29 gal (110 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)
Bicolor Foxface
Siganus uspi9.4 in (24 cm)124 gal (470 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Black Tang
Zebrasoma rostratum8.3 in (21 cm)119 gal (450 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Blackcap Basslet
Gramma melacara3.9 in (10 cm)29 gal (110 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)
Blackline Fang Blenny
Meiacanthus nigrolineatus3.5 in (9 cm)20 gal (75 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Blonde Naso Tang
Naso elegans17.7 in (45 cm)180 gal (680 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Blue Assessor
Assessor macneilli2.8 in (7 cm)29 gal (110 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Blue Chromis
Chromis cyanea5.1 in (13 cm)53 gal (200 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)
Blue Damsel
Chrysiptera cyanea3.1 in (8 cm)29 gal (110 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Blue Gudgeon Dartfish
Ptereleotris heteroptera5.1 in (13 cm)29 gal (110 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Blue Hana Goby
Ptereleotris hanae4.7 in (12 cm)40 gal (150 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)
Blue Hippo Tang
Paracanthurus hepatus11.8 in (30 cm)180 gal (680 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)
Blue Velvet Damsel
Neoglyphidodon oxyodon5.9 in (15 cm)55 gal (210 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Blue-Green Chromis
Chromis atripectoralis4.7 in (12 cm)30 gal (115 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)Blue-Spotted Jawfish
Opistognathus rosenblatti3.9 in (10 cm)30 gal (115 L)70–77°F (21–25°C)
Bluespine Unicornfish
Naso unicornis23.6 in (60 cm)396 gal (1,500 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Bluestreak Cleaner Wrasse
Labroides dimidiatus4.3 in (11 cm)106 gal (400 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Canary Fang Blenny
Meiacanthus oualanensis3.9 in (10 cm)40 gal (150 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)Candy Basslet
Liopropoma carmabi2.4 in (6 cm)26 gal (100 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Carpenter's flasher wrasse
Paracheilinus carpenteri3.1 in (8 cm)53 gal (200 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)
Catalina Goby
Lythrypnus dalli2.4 in (6 cm)11 gal (40 L)59–72°F (15–22°C)
Chalk Bass
Serranus tortugarum3.1 in (8 cm)29 gal (110 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)
Chevron Tang
Ctenochaetus hawaiiensis11 in (28 cm)180 gal (680 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Christmas Wrasse
Halichoeres ornatissimus5.9 in (15 cm)70 gal (265 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Cinnamon Clownfish
Amphiprion melanopus4.7 in (12 cm)30 gal (115 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
Clark's Clownfish
Amphiprion clarkii5.5 in (14 cm)30 gal (115 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
Clown Tang
Acanthurus lineatus15 in (38 cm)238 gal (900 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Convict Tang
Acanthurus triostegus10.6 in (27 cm)124 gal (470 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
Diadem Dottyback
Pseudochromis diadema2.8 in (7 cm)20 gal (75 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)
Diamond Sleeper Goby
Valenciennea puellaris5.9 in (15 cm)55 gal (208 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Disco Blenny
Meiacanthus smithi3.1 in (8 cm)26 gal (100 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)
Dispar Anthias
Pseudanthias dispar3.7 in (9.5 cm)70 gal (265 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Divided Leopard Wrasse
Macropharyngodon bipartitus5.1 in (13 cm)55 gal (208 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Eightline Wrasse
Pseudocheilinus octotaenia4.7 in (12 cm)55 gal (208 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Evansi Anthias
Pseudanthias evansi4.7 in (12 cm)75 gal (285 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Exquisite Fairy Wrasse
Cirrhilabrus exquisitus4.7 in (12 cm)90 gal (340 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Fiji Blue Devil Damsel
Chrysiptera taupou3.1 in (8 cm)29 gal (110 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Firefish
Nemateleotris magnifica3.5 in (9 cm)20 gal (75 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)
Flame Cardinalfish
Apogon maculatus4.3 in (11 cm)30 gal (114 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Flame Fairy Wrasse
Cirrhilabrus jordani3.9 in (10 cm)90 gal (340 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Forktail Fang Blenny
Meiacanthus atrodorsalis4.3 in (11 cm)30 gal (114 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Four-Stripe Damsel
Dascyllus melanurus3.1 in (8 cm)29 gal (110 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Fourline Wrasse
Pseudocheilinus tetrataenia3 in (7.5 cm)30 gal (114 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Gem Tang
Zebrasoma gemmatum8.7 in (22 cm)151 gal (570 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Gold-Specs Jawfish
Opistognathus randalli3.9 in (10 cm)30 gal (115 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)
Golden Damselfish
Amblyglyphidodon aureus4.7 in (12 cm)53 gal (200 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Green Chromis
Chromis viridis3.1 in (8 cm)30 gal (115 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
Green Mandarin Dragonet
Synchiropus splendidus3.1 in (8 cm)29 gal (110 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Harlequin Bass
Serranus tigrinus5.1 in (13 cm)53 gal (200 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)
Hector's Goby
Koumansetta hectori3.1 in (8 cm)20 gal (75 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)
Helfrich's Firefish
Nemateleotris helfrichi2.4 in (6 cm)20 gal (75 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)
Hi-Fin Red Banded Goby
Stonogobiops nematodes2.4 in (6 cm)20 gal (75 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)
Huchtii Anthias
Pseudanthias huchtii4.7 in (12 cm)90 gal (340 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Kole Tang
Ctenochaetus strigosus7.1 in (18 cm)79 gal (300 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Lamarck's Angelfish
Genicanthus lamarck9.8 in (25 cm)124 gal (470 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Lemon Damsel
Pomacentrus moluccensis3.5 in (9 cm)29 gal (110 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Leopard Wrasse
Macropharyngodon meleagris5.9 in (15 cm)90 gal (340 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Lineatus Fairy Wrasse
Cirrhilabrus lineatus4.7 in (12 cm)90 gal (340 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)
Lubbock's Fairy Wrasse
Cirrhilabrus lubbocki3.1 in (8 cm)55 gal (208 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Lyretail Anthias
Pseudanthias squamipinnis5.1 in (13 cm)79 gal (300 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Lyretail Hawkfish
Cyprinocirrhites polyactis5.9 in (15 cm)40 gal (150 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Magenta Dottyback
Pictichromis porphyrea2.4 in (6 cm)20 gal (75 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Magnificent Foxface
Siganus magnificus9.1 in (23 cm)124 gal (470 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Maroon Clownfish
Premnas biaculeatus6.7 in (17 cm)40 gal (150 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
McCosker's Flasher Wrasse
Paracheilinus mccoskeri3.1 in (8 cm)55 gal (208 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Melanurus Wrasse
Halichoeres melanurus5.5 in (14 cm)100 gal (380 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Midas blenny
Ecsenius midas5.1 in (13 cm)29 gal (110 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Mimic Tang
Acanthurus pyroferus11.4 in (29 cm)129 gal (490 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
Molly Miller Blenny
Scartella cristata4.7 in (12 cm)30 gal (114 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Naso Tang
Naso lituratus17.7 in (45 cm)180 gal (680 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)
Neon Damselfish
Pomacentrus coelestis3.5 in (9 cm)29 gal (110 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Neon Goby
Elacatinus oceanops2 in (5 cm)11 gal (40 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Ocellaris Clownfish
Amphiprion ocellaris3.1 in (8 cm)20 gal (75 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
One-Spot Foxface
Siganus unimaculatus7.9 in (20 cm)70 gal (265 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Orange Skunk Clownfish
Amphiprion sandaracinos5.5 in (14 cm)30 gal (115 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
Orangeshoulder Tang
Acanthurus olivaceus13.8 in (35 cm)180 gal (680 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
Orbiculate Cardinalfish
Sphaeramia orbicularis3.9 in (10 cm)30 gal (115 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
Orchid Dottyback
Pseudochromis fridmani2.8 in (7 cm)29 gal (110 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Pajama Cardinalfish
Sphaeramia nematoptera3.1 in (8 cm)29 gal (110 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)
Pearly Jawfish
Opistognathus aurifrons3.9 in (10 cm)29 gal (110 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)
Percula Clownfish
Amphiprion percula3.1 in (8 cm)20 gal (75 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
Pictus Blenny
Ecsenius pictus2 in (5 cm)20 gal (75 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)
Pink Skunk Clownfish
Amphiprion perideraion3.9 in (10 cm)30 gal (115 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
Pink-Spotted Watchman Goby
Cryptocentrus leptocephalus3.9 in (10 cm)30 gal (115 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)
Pinkbar Goby
Amblyeleotris aurora4.3 in (11 cm)30 gal (115 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)
Powder Blue Tang
Acanthurus leucosternon9.1 in (23 cm)124 gal (470 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Powder Brown Tang
Acanthurus japonicus8.3 in (21 cm)129 gal (490 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Purple Firefish
Nemateleotris decora3.5 in (9 cm)20 gal (75 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Purple Queen Anthias
Pseudanthias tuka4.7 in (12 cm)75 gal (285 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Purple Tang
Zebrasoma xanthurum9.8 in (25 cm)106 gal (400 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
Pyramid Butterflyfish
Hemitaurichthys polylepis7.1 in (18 cm)124 gal (470 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Radiant Wrasse
Halichoeres iridis4.5 in (11.5 cm)75 gal (284 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Rainford's Goby
Koumansetta rainfordi3.1 in (8 cm)20 gal (75 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)Randall's Anthias
Pseudanthias randalli3.1 in (8 cm)75 gal (285 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)Randall's Assessor
Assessor randalli3.1 in (8 cm)29 gal (110 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)
Randall's Prawn Goby
Amblyeleotris randalli4.7 in (12 cm)30 gal (114 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Red Saddleback Anemonefish
Amphiprion ephippium5.5 in (14 cm)30 gal (115 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Red Sea Sailfin Tang
Zebrasoma desjardinii15.7 in (40 cm)180 gal (680 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
Royal Gramma
Gramma loreto3.1 in (8 cm)29 gal (110 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)
Ruby Red Dragonet
Synchiropus sycorax2.4 in (6 cm)53 gal (200 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)
Saddleback Clownfish
Amphiprion polymnus5.1 in (13 cm)40 gal (150 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
Sailfin Tang
Zebrasoma veliferum11.8 in (30 cm)145 gal (550 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)Sankey's Dottyback
Pseudochromis sankeyi3.1 in (8 cm)29 gal (110 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
Schooling Bannerfish
Heniochus diphreutes8.3 in (21 cm)124 gal (470 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Scissortail Dartfish
Ptereleotris evides5.5 in (14 cm)29 gal (110 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Scooter Dragonet
Synchiropus ocellatus3.5 in (9 cm)29 gal (110 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Scopas Tang
Zebrasoma scopas7.9 in (20 cm)90 gal (340 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
Scott's Fairy Wrasse
Cirrhilabrus scottorum5.1 in (13 cm)90 gal (340 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)
Sebae Clownfish
Amphiprion sebae5.9 in (15 cm)30 gal (115 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
Sharknose Goby
Elacatinus evelynae1.6 in (4 cm)13 gal (50 L)75–79°F (24–26°C)
Six-line wrasse
Pseudocheilinus hexataenia3.1 in (8 cm)29 gal (110 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Sixspot Sleeper Goby
Valenciennea sexguttata5.5 in (14 cm)40 gal (150 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Skunk Clownfish
Amphiprion akallopisos4.3 in (11 cm)26 gal (100 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
Social fairy wrasse
Cirrhilabrus rubriventralis2.8 in (7 cm)53 gal (200 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)
Sohal Tang
Acanthurus sohal15.7 in (40 cm)180 gal (680 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
Solar Fairy Wrasse
Cirrhilabrus solorensis4.3 in (11 cm)90 gal (340 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Spotted Mandarin Dragonet
Synchiropus picturatus2.8 in (7 cm)29 gal (110 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Spotted Unicornfish
Naso brevirostris21.7 in (55 cm)343 gal (1,300 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Springer's Damsel
Chrysiptera springeri2.8 in (7 cm)25 gal (95 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Springer's Dottyback
Pseudochromis springeri2.4 in (6 cm)20 gal (75 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Square Anthias
Pseudanthias pleurotaenia7.9 in (20 cm)100 gal (380 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Starck's Damsel
Chrysiptera starcki3.5 in (9 cm)29 gal (110 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)
Starry Blenny
Salarias ramosus5.5 in (14 cm)30 gal (114 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Sunburst Anthias
Serranocirrhitus latus5.1 in (13 cm)70 gal (265 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)
Swallowtail Angelfish
Genicanthus melanospilos7.1 in (18 cm)106 gal (400 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Swissguard Basslet
Liopropoma rubre3.1 in (8 cm)29 gal (110 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Tailspot blenny
Ecsenius stigmatura2.4 in (6 cm)20 gal (75 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Talbot's Damsel
Chrysiptera talboti2.4 in (6 cm)29 gal (110 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Threadfin Anthias
Nemanthias carberryi3.9 in (10 cm)70 gal (265 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Threadfin Cardinalfish
Zoramia leptacantha2.4 in (6 cm)30 gal (114 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Three-Stripe Damsel
Dascyllus aruanus3.5 in (9 cm)29 gal (110 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Tomato Clownfish
Amphiprion frenatus5.5 in (14 cm)30 gal (115 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
Tomini Tang
Ctenochaetus tominiensis6.3 in (16 cm)70 gal (265 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Twinspot Goby
Signigobius biocellatus3.9 in (10 cm)30 gal (115 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)
Twospot Hogfish
Bodianus bimaculatus3.9 in (10 cm)30 gal (114 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Vlamingi Tang
Naso vlamingii23.6 in (60 cm)359 gal (1,360 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Watanabei Angelfish
Genicanthus watanabei5.9 in (15 cm)79 gal (300 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Wheeler's Prawn Goby
Amblyeleotris wheeleri3.9 in (10 cm)30 gal (114 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Whitecheek Tang
Acanthurus nigricans13.8 in (35 cm)129 gal (490 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Yasha Goby
Stonogobiops yasha2.4 in (6 cm)15 gal (57 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Yellow Assessor
Assessor flavissimus2.8 in (7 cm)29 gal (110 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Yellow Tang
Zebrasoma flavescens7.9 in (20 cm)100 gal (380 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Yellow Watchman Goby
Cryptocentrus cinctus3.5 in (9 cm)20 gal (75 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)
Yellowstriped Cardinalfish
Ostorhinchus cyanosoma3.1 in (8 cm)30 gal (114 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Yellowtail Damsel
Chrysiptera parasema2.8 in (7 cm)29 gal (110 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Zebra Angelfish
Genicanthus caudovittatus7.9 in (20 cm)90 gal (340 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
Zebra Dartfish
Ptereleotris zebra4.7 in (12 cm)29 gal (110 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
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