Top 10 Saltwater Fish For Beginners

[@stevenelton8651]

getting equipment to set up my first saltwater aquarium and I have watched the video on corals and now this and the two make a great combination so thank you very much

[@EagleAquatics]

Not a problem at all, hope it helps ya

[@heidisfishtank7543]

Your purple tang was $20 😱?! That's amazing! Did you medicate it when you got it?

[@EagleAquatics]

Its crazy right! I did not medicate it because it did not have any spreadable diseases. I never quarantine my fish.

[@quagmire5765]

Heidi's Fish Tank I bought one for $1 he was in pieces so I taped him back together and he was good to go in 60gallon tank

[@opethmike]

Never quarantine...?

[@EagleAquatics]

I dont believe in quarantine.

[@tesusreef2625]

@@quagmire5765 xD

[@danielfox6709]

Im not sure why but this video was just so genuine and made me happy

[@EagleAquatics]

Quality Content gang!

[@sueyounglove9253]

That was fabulous. We are going to begin changing our large tropical tank over to a reef one so very timely to find out the best fish to get for beginners. Thank you so much.

[@EagleAquatics]

No problem glad you found it interesting!

[@jesterscorner879]

I agree with most of what you had on your list with just a few exceptions. Chromis tend to pick on each other off, Powder Blue Tangs tend to be a bit more aggressive and are one of the most prone to ich (more so than even other Tangs) and the 6 line wrasse has many a horror story of snapping and killing off their tank mates even in 100+ gallon tanks. All in all though, a great list with good info.

[@EagleAquatics]

Thanks you are right about a lot of that, I was just giving general opinions from both myself and others out there. Thanks for the feedback.

[@samantha_2686]

Eagle Aquatics hey how big is your tank?

[@christemple6311]

I thought Percula clowns are pretty easy too.

[@HeTookThem]

They are easy but there is something to be perfect if you want to keep them

[@MadHattersReef]

Great list man!

[@EagleAquatics]

Thanks man!!!

[@MadHattersReef]

keep them coming.

[@paulbarrett6093]

Thank you for your info, muchas gracias.

[@chrispaul9124]

I like your choices. Do you just like salt water or do you have fresh water too?

[@sseeaahhaawwkkssrule975]

I must be blessed or lucky. I have a Lemonpeel Angelfish and a Coral Beauty in the same tank and there are no problems. I also have 4 Clownfish that I bought from different stores and added them to the tank at different times and they get along with no problems.

[@EagleAquatics]

That's great man glad to hear that!!

[@MT-qf7nu]

And that is a really nice tank

[@pointnozzleaway]

awesome info for us beginners, Thanks !

[@EagleAquatics]

No problem!

[@YeshuaLove0722]

Goobies are so cute the yellow one

[@billmcmanus4634]

I’ve just about committed to starting a pico saltwater reef tank (2gal cube,lid & lite.,limited space) . I’ve put in my hard scape, when should I place my sub straight / bacterial sand, how much saltwater should I make using a 5g.depot bucket .im waiting to acquire a salt/gravity meter.not putting any critters or fish in for awhile. Can I start the cycle without a meter ?? So many “?” Here is whole YT VIDIO FOR YOU !

[@stevemunn367]

Great video 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 great list, maybe not the 6 line wrasse though 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@jesterscorner879]

Agreed, in every forum and group I am part of they always score in the top 5 of any "fish I regret adding to my tank" post.

[@EagleAquatics]

Depends, I think they are good fish.

[@EagleAquatics]

Guess I got lucky with mine.

[@scottmo31]

Hi buddy great video👍 what’s the large coral to the right is it a toadstool leather? Looks awesome 😎

[@EagleAquatics]

That is a colt tree coral leather coral.

[@andersschmich8600]

Very helpful list. I'm thinking of eventually getting a fire-fish, a banggai cardinalfish, ocellaris clownfish and a starry blenny,

[@EagleAquatics]

Got to they are all great fish and easy to care for.

[@andersschmich8600]

@@EagleAquatics Do you think I should add the fire fish first as they are generally less aggressive?

[@EagleAquatics]

Yes for sure, put the clown in last.

[@joelrodriguez4598]

For a 75 gallon tank would you recommend putting in a powder blue tang?

[@EagleAquatics]

Yah, powders dont get as big as some other species of tangs, they will do fine in a 75.

[@cjspets2095]

I'm getting a 65 gallon tank soon I wondered if you could help me I wanted to know if I could house one tang in there and a couple clowns? This video really helped btw

[@EagleAquatics]

Yes you can but only a few species of tangs, I would say you are good with any bristle tooth tanks, maybe a yellow tang, or a mimic tang also. If you want a fish that resembles a tang get a dwarf angelfish, they don't get big and most of the time they are safe with coral.

[@cjspets2095]

@@EagleAquatics Thank you so much 🌟

[@chrisgroves5381]

Brilliant video, thank you. Not a beginner but still loads of helpful information

[@EagleAquatics]

Thanks a lot!!

[@jeffjarry4257]

I have heard that the fairy wrasse was bad for reef tank. I don't have any experience with the wrasse family. Thank you for the information great help.

[@EagleAquatics]

Fairy wrasses are actually one of the best reef fish you can buy, they dont bother inverts or other wrasse and they have some of the most insane colors. Great fish for a reef.

[@wendyeagens3256]

Do you cover beginner corals or other reef dwellers? I don't have an aquarium yet but I am looking to build a salt water tank and appreciate your insights.

[@EagleAquatics]

Yep check out my top 10 videos!

[@dawnbowen5417]

Totally enjoyed

[@MT-qf7nu]

Getting my first saltwater tank soon I'm a complete novice I'm looking at a pair of ocellaris clownfish, why other fish are compatible and with similar feeding

[@EagleAquatics]

Cardinalfish, chromis, firefish, gobies, blennies, royal grammas, fairy wrasse. MOst smaller species do good with clowns.

[@shrekscumslut1341]

I got my blue tang for free because he was more than half dead at the aquarium store but I saved him and it's been a year ,he's doing great with his best friend my yellow tang

[@EagleAquatics]

Its always great to revitalize a fish that wasnt cared for well, did that with a couple of fish I own.

[@miguelroldao6939]

How big is your tank? The filter intake and heater look huge compared to the fish! Not sure if it's a 30g or a 300g XD . Anyways, it's looking great!

[@EagleAquatics]

Thank you, That is a marineland 60 gallon aquarium. I put the biggest hang on filter on it for more filtration and I am pretty sure that was a 250 watt marineland heater.

[@andersschmich8600]

Awesome video! Iv'e kept freshwater fish for a while now and really want to get into salt water, i'm just put off by the price and upkeep. Still, I want to do it eventually, and I really love the idea of getting a watchman goby, and some kind of blenny. Also, how many small to medium sized fish do you think would be comfortable and healthy in a 30 gallon? That's what I have tentatively planned if I ever do a salt water tank, and was thinking maybe five, is that too many?

[@EagleAquatics]

If I were to start in the saltwater like you are I would start with an easy tank like a biocube 32 gallon. You can easily put 5 small fish like some clowns, a goby, a blenny, and a few other small species comfortably in that size tank. They also come with the all in one filtration and lighting you need. It can also grow most species of soft and LPS coral easily. Great beginner tank, check out my playlist on my old biocube.

[@andersschmich8600]

@@EagleAquatics Thanks, i'll be sure to look at your biocube videos.

[@spinster4000]

I have a new 32.5 gallon that i will be picking up later this month and will wait a few months before getting fish but I may have a planned stocking list? I made sure these guys were all okay together and was wondering what you thought. 2 wyoming white clownfish, 1 tailspot blennie, 2 neon blue gobie (if 2 would cause a rivalry i can drop it down to 1), 2 purple firefish and 1 blue/green chromis. But I dont have a cleanup crew, and I am wondering what I could put in with these guys? I am a beginner in the saltwater hobby, but have been in the freshwater for 3 years. Big jump but this side of the fish keeping world has always has always fascinated me so I wanted to give it a try, cheers!

[@EagleAquatics]

Once you start this saltwater tank you will be hooked once you get the hang of it! I do not see a problem with your stock list, all of those fish should do fine in that size tank and should all get along fine. As far as cleaners go I would get a cleaner shrimp, or blood red cherry shrimp, a few turbo snails once you get some algae growing, and a bunch of small hermit crabs. you should be good from there, and add the fish over time not all at once.

[@spinster4000]

@@EagleAquatics Thanks man! I have a buddy in the hobby who i just found out recently and have been talking to him ab tanks and hes gonna set me up with a waterbox 50.3 peninsula, and ill just go from there but thanks man! (im still keeping the stocking list from this tank)

[@EagleAquatics]

@@spinster4000 Awesome man!

[@chrishardy8937]

Great vids.just started a marine so following closely. Can you mix Bengal and pajama Cardinals in sane tank?

[@EagleAquatics]

Yes you can!

[@Ss17405168]

what do you think about picasso trigger fish? Are they reef safe? Thanks.

[@jesterscorner879]

No. They are not reef safe and tend to be aggressive.

[@EagleAquatics]

They are not reef safe, will eat coral and inverts

[@stevenhall9009]

I'm also a fan of dorf angelfish

[@EagleAquatics]

They are great fish!

[@JoeBurner1720]

Im thinking i want a maximum of 3 tangs in my 125. Is that too much? Im interested in zebrasoma (mainly yellow or purple) a blue hippo tang (is my tank too small?) And a powder blue tang

[@EagleAquatics]

You should be fine with all those guys in your tank, I have a hippo tang in my 125 and he does fine, I have kept purple tangs in the past and found them to be very aggressive, if you get one of those guys or a yellow tang add them last as they are more aggressive. Powder blue would be fine also.

[@DanielLarsonEnjoyer]

10:06 looks like a saltwater betta fish 😂 20:46 betta fish tail, clownfish body

[@armengharabetian715]

Great video

[@Stylepoints1876]

Great video, where do you source your fish? I need to find an affordable source.

[@EagleAquatics]

I buy all my fish from stores around me in illinois. Chicago fish cand coral, aquatica, robs aquatics, chicagoland aquariums. Online sources that are good are kushcorals, liveaquaria, and saltwaterfish.com

[@nayanmistry4641]

Eagle aquatics, a great introductory video to saltwater fish. I am a freshwater hobbiest and want to get into saltwater/marine tank setup. I have a 200L, (53gallon I think) tank with a fluval 306 canister filter. Is it easy to convert this freshwater setup to a saltwater tank? Would I need to acquire any more equipment to sustain the saltwater ecosystem? I hope you can help. Thanks

[@EagleAquatics]

Honestly you should be good with what you have right now, a 53 gallon is decent size and the canister will work. Only thing I recommend is a high quality light and a couple wavemakers.

[@syerayuuki2911]

did you close your aqurium lamp when you sleep?

[@EagleAquatics]

Yes I do and I run them for 10 hours during the day.

[@jeffjarry4257]

How about tank raised clowns. If you have one then add another tank raised later. I guess they all get territorial ? Thanks

[@EagleAquatics]

Tank raised clowns are great. Usually ocellaris clowns will get along with new clowns, its the more aggressive species like marrons and tomato clowns that will kill another clown added.

[@coltaname1518]

Hey, I know this video is pretty old now, But I wanted to ask is there any fish you could keep with a pair of clowns In a 10 gallon?

[@EagleAquatics]

Yah, a few species, firefish, cardinalfish, six line wrasse, royal gramma, gobies.

[@fishfan2]

@@EagleAquatics 😂You described how I have my tank stocked

[@jesterscorner879]

6 line would be a terrible choice for a 10 gallon tank. Too active and aggressive.

[@jhaych]

I've got a 35 gallon, I have hermit crabs, 2 black occeleris clownfish, a yellow clown goby, just wondering what clean up crew and other fish you'd recommend? I've been looking at chocolate chip starfish, purple firefish, bengai cardinals, green chromis, 6 line wrasse, royal gramma, chalk bass, obviously not them all but which ones would you recommend and also if you have any other recommendations? I don't have corals but i am looking to get started on them.

[@EagleAquatics]

Definitely go check out my top 10 reef inverts video and my top 10 corals for beginners video also, you will get a ton of info from them. Honestly I would recommend all of the fish listed that you have, all of those fish would go perfect in that tank. As far as inverts, I would say cleaner shrimp, turbo snails, conch snails and a bunch others, dont get a chocolate chip star because they eat coral. I wouldnt get any starfish honestly because they arent hardy in my experience and die quick.

[@jhaych]

@@EagleAquatics thank you for the reply, I'm just watching them now as I type, thank you for the advice and help, and perfect I'm happy I found all the suitable fish, and okay thank you again, I have heard starfish can be difficult.

[@jhaych]

@@EagleAquatics sorry one more question, would you recommend a dwarf lionfish and if so how difficult are they to keep and any tank mates?

[@beibeigamerpro9715]

Very informational video and would you have a scopas tang in a 54 gallon I’ve seen them in 55 gallons would that be a harm to anything including the tang itself?

[@EagleAquatics]

You could probably get away with it, I kept a purple tang in a 60 gallon for a while once.

[@beibeigamerpro9715]

Alright thanks!

[@jesterscorner879]

For a while you could but they will outgrow it.

[@leegriffith5159]

You made a great video. Lots of great recommendations. However, edit your stuff before you release it. You made a few key mistakes that you should catch next time. Anyway, thumbs up.

[@kameohosley2175]

In a 20 long could I put 2 clownfish, 1 flame angel, 1 firefish goby, 2 orange lined cardinals, and 1 yellow clown goby?

[@EagleAquatics]

If I were you I would put the 2 clowns, the firefish, the 2 cardinals and the goby in there I dont think I would put that flame angel in that small of an aquarium, they need at least 40 gallon because of their swimming needs.

[@quagmire5765]

Kameo Hosley in a 20 long you can actually put 10 of each this can also be in a 10 gallon too

[@nerfguy7554]

Quagmire fucking moron

[@pauldeacon8764]

Hi! I found your video very helpful!please forgive me as I am a beginner but u know the pink thing waving about in the current, is it an enemeny or a coral please?? 😀👍

[@10ksubscriberswithoutavide23]

paul deacon it’s an enemeny

[@EagleAquatics]

That is a rose bubble tip anemone

[@evermoreisthebestalbum]

Would I be able to keep pink skunk clownfish and the turquoise chromis together like 2 of each and would they eat the same food

[@EagleAquatics]

They should get along with each other. They will eat the same food also.

[@coreyorr4206]

$20 for purple tang? Holy shit!!!

[@EagleAquatics]

Yep some petco's majorly discount fish, keep your eye out....

[@jeffjeff5895]

I got 1 royal gamma and 2 yellow tail damselfish and its like ww2 in my aquarium. The royal gamma keeps attacking them and making them stressed, sometimes the damsel fish fight each other because they have nowhere to go the royal gamma keeps chasing them and i just got a cleaner shrimp and the royal gamma keeps attacking it

[@EagleAquatics]

I would take the royal gramma out if you can and isolate or return him. Not worth keeping that fish in the tank.

[@slimfit_7964]

You can have two clownfish in the same tank

[@EagleAquatics]

You can in certain circumstances yes. If introduced at the same time yes, but if one is established and you try adding another there could be war.

[@HeTookThem]

@@EagleAquatics is it fatal?

[@ShawnComposer]

@@EagleAquatics I've had a single clownfish for 3 years, then I introduced a much SMALLER clownfish, a baby. They have been together happily since then. Just gotta make sure one is a female and one is a male, and you will be good to go.

[@davidmcmullen4111]

All clowns are male at first. The dominant one then becomes a female

[@caroleosullivan5984]

Your so informative.

[@EagleAquatics]

Thanks!!

[@albiripley5919]

I'm jst amaze @ how many people who do not know proper grammar(you're /you are ) very informative. (NOT YOUR).

[@cadenslagen5444]

Could I put an ocelares clown fish in a 8 gallon

[@EagleAquatics]

Yah you can I have kept one successfully in a 10 gallon. If you only get 1 it should be fine. You can only get an ocellaris though because the other species get to large,

[@quagmire5765]

Phoenix 111704 yes and you can also add a octopussy along with crabs you can find those at your local hooker spot... thank you and have a nice day

[@justinopie9502]

Clown fish can be kept in any amount of numbers. Single, 2, 3, 20... Not sure where that tip came from.

[@EagleAquatics]

Ive heard multiple different things, just stating the most common opinion.

[@kenxnx.b_a]

Do hate clown fish they pick on every body and when I do modifications to my tank the bite which actually hurts! They are very aggressive!

[@EagleAquatics]

Some can be but it depends.

[@jesterscorner879]

All clownfish can be very aggressive/territorial once established. They are well known for biting their owners.

[@bigdawg6134]

If you get a bicolor psuedo get it as your last fish because they get agressive i had to learn that the hard way :(

[@EagleAquatics]

True that they are aggressive species.

[@jamelgordon8573]

Do you have a video of fish only saltwater tanks

[@EagleAquatics]

Not yet...

[@robertlangford7637]

starting a saltwater tank videos are there sumps in the tanks

[@EagleAquatics]

This tank did not have a sump, just a hang on back filter and hang on skimmer

[@econosouth9404]

awesome video! thank you!

[@shelleymurnaghan5932]

Can you have a pink skunk clown and a occelaris clown in the same

[@EagleAquatics]

You can try, they might fight. If you tank is over 55 gallon id say you should be fine.

[@nerad1994]

Would a 20 gallon tank be big enough for only 2 clown fish?

[@EagleAquatics]

Oh yah for sure.

[@porcu12345]

Don't chromis kill each other constantly? Would hardly call them a beginner fish unless you plan on keeping just one of them.

[@EagleAquatics]

If you keep multiple or just one they will be fine, its when you add more to an established school of them is when they kill each other.

[@andersschmich8600]

I got a Royal Gramma as my first fish but sadly after a few weeks it developed ich and I wasn't able to transfer it to a hospital tank in time. I'm now currently quarantining a Banggai Cardinal fish and a bi-color blenny, and I will transfer them to the display tank after two weeks or so. I did prefer a Starry or Midas Blenny, but they were between 50-75$ at my LFS, and wasn't quite willing to spend that much at this time. If these two do okay my next plan is to get a pair of Ocellaris or Percula clowns, plus one other fish, I might go for a Royal gramma again, or try something else like a Yellow Watchman Goby or a peaceful wrasse. I know I've commented before but your videos really are immensely helpful for a beginner!

[@EagleAquatics]

Sounds like its going good, thanks for the positive support!!

[@novemharrison4524]

Then buy some tailspot blenny

[@PaulGarwood]

Hi.. you say the Chromis is a peaceful fish, but would a Yellow Tang, or a Bengali/Pyjama Cardinal attack one?

[@EagleAquatics]

I highly doubt it. They should all get along good. I would try it.

[@quagmire5765]

Paul Garwood not if you show him who's the boss

[@rc2300s2r]

Single maroon clown. Multiple perculas or ocellaris clowns are ok. Introduced at the same time, right?

[@rc2300s2r]

Ha. You answered later in the vid. Thanks... Mocha Storms are my fav fight now.

[@christemple6311]

Ryan’s Reef Omg i love mocha storms

[@HookedonreefsShop]

Like the tank

[@EagleAquatics]

Thanks!!

[@blakemcclurkin4842]

Can anyone recommend a type of reef safe wrasse that is good for beginners I just set up my first reef tank (75 gallon)

[@EagleAquatics]

Any fairy or flasher wrasse are completely reef safe and easy to care for, other wrasse are but they may eat hermit crabs and other inverts.

[@blakemcclurkin4842]

Eagle Aquatics thanks for the recommendation and for replying so quickly!

[@EagleAquatics]

No problem man, I try my best to reply to all comments quickly!!

[@stepheng2074]

If I where to get a coral beauty angelfish could it be healthy enough in a 50gallon?

[@EagleAquatics]

Yah in my opinion a coral beauty should do very good in a 50 gallon. The tank he is in right now is basically the same size and he does great. Just be sure to have a lot of rock in there for him.

[@stepheng2074]

Eagle Aquatics also, do i need a sump for a 50gal?

[@EagleAquatics]

Not necessarily, my tank right now has no sump and has hang on the back power filters. This is low tech but can work just as good as if the tank did have a sump, the thing is you have to do more water changes because the power filters are not nearly as effective as a sump.

[@stepheng2074]

Eagle Aquatics ok thanks man, your helping me out a ton

[@quagmire5765]

stpehen #1 hell you can even use a 1gallon

[@RedZ-Zaraki]

Nice tank

[@EagleAquatics]

Thanks!

[@robertlangford7637]

do you have a sump.

[@EagleAquatics]

Not on that tank no

[@Gabrielaalvarezdogmom]

Tap tap tap

[@planb4184]

Trust me,all saltwater fish are not for beginner if you keeping fish at first time

[@EagleAquatics]

These fish are all good for beginner saltwater fishkeepers.

[@Rumplesnekskin]

Are dwarf lion fish an option for a beginner?

[@EagleAquatics]

Yes from my experience working at my LFS, I have seen these guys eat like crazy and they are generally peiceful with any fish they cant fit in their mouths, they are also small and dont usually get past 5 inches. Watch to poisonous dorsal fins though.

[@RandomizedYT]

Do I think I can put a tang in a 60 gallon

[@EagleAquatics]

You can but make sure its a smaller species.

[@donlocke64]

you never qt your fish ,everybody says that’s dangerous, thoughts

[@EagleAquatics]

Yup thats correct I dont quarantine and I likely never will. You have to know I have nothing against it at all, it has benefits for sure. I personally believe its unnecessary. I don't do it because I trust the places I buy fish from and I only buy specimens I know are healthy and that are eating. I would never buy a fish that doesn't eat, they're either too new or stressed out. I also don't have the room for another thank and don't want to maintain another tank either. I believe people worry about things to much, if your buying a fish from a clean fish store and the fish looks healthy, is living in a tank with other healthy fish, and is eating, than 95% of the time you are good at least in my cases. Now I have had fish get ick in my tanks before, but I have never lost a fish to ick, only swim bladder disease and velvet. Fish disease can also almost directly be related to bad water quality as well, so keep your tank clean. I find if you are feeding the fish regularly when they are sick they can easily fight off the disease and recover quick, and I have seen this happen with a few fish.

[@nofearbb]

All true except the clown fish pairing, the trick is too get two different sized clownfish..

[@EagleAquatics]

Ahh yes, true that.

[@kameohosley2175]

Many people say angels can be kept in as small as a 20 long.

[@EagleAquatics]

Their are so many opinions on this, but I personally think they should be housed in no less that 40 gallon because the need a lot of room to swim and a lot of rock in which to graze on.

[@jesterscorner879]

I agree with Eagle, with Dwarf Angels it's more about temperament and activity. Dwarf Angels (especially the Flame Angels) can be very territorial and aggressive in smaller tanks. I had to remove a Flame Angel from my 36 gallon bowfront for this very reason (and it started nipping at my hammer and frogspawn frags). I suppose someone could try a Pygmy Angel (ie Cherubfish) in a 20 gallon but I wouldn't. I would say a 40 breeder would probably be okay for a Coral beauty, but a 4 foot long tank would be best for the Dwarf Angels in general if you want to have your best shot at success with them.

[@quagmire5765]

Kameo Hosley I have like 20 of those in my 1gallon water jug

[@quagmire5765]

Jester's Aquatics I have a 40 yr old dwarf in my 50gallon long tank and let me tell you that little fucker is aggressive

[@turbovicsatx2910]

Why would you say only one clown when that’s not true

[@EagleAquatics]

ehhhh, excluding ocellaris clowns, all other clown its best to keep alone or as a mated pair, otherwise they are likely to kill each other.