Reef Safe Saltwater Aquarium Fish

Angelfish (Centropyge)

The smaller angelfish species work well in larger reef tanks. However, larger species such as the emperor angelfish (Pomacanthus imperator) will eat corals and shrimp and should be avoided. Even the smaller (dwarf) angels will occasionally pick at corals in a small tank unless they are well fed. The beautiful Japanese swallowtail angelfish is one of the few truly reef tank safe angelfish which does not bother corals or other invertebrates. Here are some of the safer angelfish species:

• Japanese Swallowtail Angelfish (Genicanthus melanospilos)
• Coral Beauty Angelfish (Centropyge bispinosus)
• Fisher's Angelfish (Centropyge fisheri)
• Flame Angelfish (Centropyge loriculus)
• Lemonpeel Angelfish (Centropyge flavissimus)
• Masked Angelfish (Genicanthus personatus)
• Multicolor Angelfish (Centropyge multicolor)
• Orange-lined or Eibl's Angelfish (Centropyge eibli)

Clownfish

These colorful, gentle, amusing little fish are a favorite reef safe fish. The maroon clown is a possible exception, due to its aggressive behavior and larger size at maturity. Here are some of the best species:

• False Percula Clownfish (Amphiprion ocellaris)
• True Percula Clownfish (Amphiprion percula)
• Tomato Clownfish (Amphiprion frenatus)
• Clarkii Clownfish (Amphirion clarkii)
• Fire, Red & Black or Cinnamon Clownfish (Amphiprion melanopus)
• Pink Skunk Clownfish (Amphiprion perideraion)
• Saddleback Clownfish (Amphiprion polymnus)

Dragonettes and Mandarinfish

These docile fish can be difficult to keep in an aquarium, due to their specific diet requirements. However, given an ample supply of amphipods and copepods, these fish can do quite well. Here are a couple of good species:

• Green Mandarinfish (Pterosynchiropis splendidus)
• Psychedelic Mandarinfish (Synchiropus picturatus)

Gobies

Most gobies are great little reef safe fish, however, some species may eat small ornamental crustaceans. Not aggressive in nature, they will consume algae, amphipods, and copepods. Blennies fall into three basic categories: sand sifting gobies, ​​shrimp gobies, and ​small gobies.

Sand Sifting Gobies

Sand sifting gobies plow through the tank substrate, sifting/straining algae, detritus and uneaten food from the sand. This not only removes unwanted nitrate producing substances, it also stirs and aerates the sand (very important for deep sand beds), releasing toxic gases. Here are some of the best species:

• Diamond Watchman Goby (Valencienna puellaris)
• Engineer Goby (Pholidichthys leucotaenia)
• Orangemarked Goby (Amblygobius decussatus)
• Sleeper Banded Goby (Amblygobius phalaena)
• Sleeper Blue Dot Goby (Valenciennea sexguttata)
• Sleeper Railway Glider Goby (Valenciennea helsdingeni)
• Sleeper Striped Goby (Valenciennea longipinnis)
• Tiger Watchman Goby (Valencienna wardii)
• Two Spot Goby (Signigobius biocellatus)

Shrimp Gobies

Shrimp gobies get their name from their behavior of sharing their burrows in the sand with small shrimp, such as the pistol shrimp. These gobies warn their shrimp roommates (which have poorer eyesight) of approaching danger in time for them both to retreat into their burrow. In return, they share their food with the gobies. Here are some of the best species:

• Diagonal Bar Prawn Goby (Amblyeleotris diagonalis)
• Blackray Shrimp Goby (Stonogobiops nematodes)
• Orange Spotted Goby (Amblyeleotris guttata)
• Orange Stripe Prawn Goby (Amblyeleotris randalli)
• Pinkbar Goby (Cryptocentrus aurora)
• Pink Spotted Watchman Goby (Cryptocentrus leptocephals)
• Steinitz Goby (Amblyeleotris steinitzi)
• Wheeler's Watchman Goby (Amblyeleotris wheeleri)
• Yellow Watchman Goby (Cryptocentrus cinctus)

Small Gobies

Small gobies are some of the most colorful, entertaining fish in an aquarium. These gobies adapt well to aquarium life and remain small (2 inches and under) even as adults. Here are some of the best reef safe species:

• Gold Line Goby (Elacatinus horsti)
• Yellow Clown Goby (Gobiodon okinawae)
• Panda Clown Goby (Paragobius lacunicolus)
• Green Clown Goby (Gobiodon atrangulatus)
• Citrinis Clown Goby (Gobiodon citrinus)
• Brown Clown Goby (Gobiodon spp.)
• Black Clown Goby (Gobiodon strangulatus)
• Cave Transparent Goby (Coryphopterus glaucofrenum)
• Black Barred Convict Goby (Priolepis nocturnus)
• Firefish Goby (Nemateleotris magnifica)
• Purple Coral Goby (Gobiodon unicolor)

Tangs (Surgeonfish)

Surgeonfish make great reef tank occupants. Being herbivores, they eat only algae, leaving your invertebrates and corals alone. The size to which some tangs grow may cause a problem in smaller tanks, so plan ahead with surgeon fish as you will need a bigger aquarium in the future. Here are some of the best species:

• Achilles Tang (Acanthurus achilles)
• Pacific Blue Tang (Paracanthurus hepatus)
• Blonde Naso Tang (Naso lituratus)
• Red Sea Sailfin Tang (Zebrasoma desjardinii)
• Clown Surgeonfish (Acanthurus lineatus)
• Purple Tang (Zebrasoma xanthurum)
• Chevron Tang (Ctenochaetus hawaiiensis)
• Convict Tang (Acanthurus triostegus)
• Kole Tang (Ctenochaetus strigosus)
• Goldrim Tang (Acanthurus nigricans)
• Orangebar Tang (Acanthurus olivaceus)
• Powder Blue Tang (Acanthurus leucosternon)
• Sailfin Tang (Zebrasoma veliferum)
• Yellow Tang (Zebrasoma flavescens)

Green Chromis

The green chromis (Chromis viridis) is a species of damselfish. Individuals tend to be iridescent apple-green and light blue, and reach a maximum length of 4 inches (10 cm). They prefer to be kept in schools of odd numbers. They are non-aggressive to most invertebrates.