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Top 5 Marine Aquarium Fish

**Number 5 – Flame Angel (Centropyge loricula)**

Vital Stats:

Grows to 6 inches
Needs a 30-gallon+ aquarium
Comes from Christmas Island, Cook Islands, Marshall Islands, Tahiti, and Hawaii

Want some bling for your tank? This flashy little guy comes in as the number five favorite for marine aquarists. As Mark Martin, the Director of Marine Ornamentals at Blue Zoo Aquatics says: “The Flame Angelfish is one of the most popular of all the Centropyge Angelfish with good reason. It is hardy enough for beginners and attractive enough for the seasoned aquarist.” If underfed, the flame angel may nip at corals, and it will aggressively go after members of its own species. The Flame Angel will cost you between $40 and $75 depending on size.

**Number 4 – Green Chromis (Chromis viridis)**

Vital Stats:

Grows to 3 inches
Needs a 30-gallon+ aquarium
Comes from Coral Sea, Indo-Pacific, Tahiti

This small shoaling fish is a favorite with marine hobbyists, as its number four ranking attests. In addition to its cool coloration, Martin says that “the Green Chromis acts as a ‘dithering’ fish and will draw out shy and retiring fish that would otherwise be reclusive and stay hidden in the rockwork or behind decorations.” Keep a shoal of Green Chromis in a fish only or reef tank, but be sure the shoal has an uneven number of fish. Prices for the Green Chromis range from $2 to $4 each depending on how many you buy.

**Number 3 – Yellow Tang (Zebrasoma flaviscens)**

Vital Stats:

Grows to 8 inches
Needs a 75-gallon+ aquarium
Comes from Hawaii

This ubiquitous marine aquarium fish comes in (not surprisingly) at number three. A hardy marine fish that will earn its keep by keeping algae in check, the Yellow Tang is a favorite in the hobby. It’s best to keep one per tank, unless the tank is very large. Your Yellow Tang will cost you somewhere between $25 and $80 depending on size.

**Number 2 – Blue Tang (Paracanthurus hepatus)**

Vital Stats:

Grows to 12 inches
Needs a 75-gallon+ aquarium
Comes from Fiji, Indo-Pacific, Solomon Islands, and Hawaii

While it should surprise no one that Nemo’s buddy shows up at number two on the top ten list, the Blue Tang is NOT a beginners’ fish. While very colorful and personable, the Blue Tang gets big and will fight with others of the same species. This beauty will set you back $25 to $115 depending upon size.

Number 1 – Ocellaris Clown

Vital Stats:

Grows to 4 ½ inches
Needs a 30-gallon+ aquarium
Comes from the Indo-Pacific and Indian Ocean

As Martin rightfully points out, “The Ocellaris Clownfish has to be the single most recognized marine fish in the industry.” This clownfish is relatively hardy and highly personable. Many aquarists can’t resist the symbiotic relationship it shares with a host anemone, which is why, perhaps, this is currently the number one most popular marine fish based on Blue Zoo Aquatics’ sales statistics. You too can have your very own Ocellaris Clown for between $10 and $25 depending on size.