Top 10 UNDERRATED fish for saltwater aquarium or reef tank!

When you're starting your research on what fish to put in your brand new saltwater aquarium, you often end up with clownfish, damsels, and firefish on every list. Well, you're not going to find those on this list! 🚫 Let's dive into some underrated options perfect for beginners.
Choosing the right fish for your saltwater aquarium involves researching each species' needs and compatibility with other tank mates. These underrated options offer variety and interest beyond the usual recommendations, making them great choices for beginners.
1. Orange Dashed Wrasse (Timor Wrasse) 🐟
A striking fish with vibrant orange markings. Known for its active and inquisitive nature, it helps control bristle worms and snails.
2. Yellow-Headed Jawfish 🐠
A fascinating fish with a bright yellow head. Known for its burrowing behavior and unique way of living in the sand.
3. Yellow Striped Cardinalfish 🎏
A beautiful fish with bright yellow stripes. Prefers calm, dimly lit environments and is easy to care for.
4. Linear Blenny 🐡
An active algae grazer with a sleek, elongated body. Known for its fun, quirky behavior and beneficial algae-eating habits.
5. Striped Dottyback 🐟
A vibrant, active fish with striking stripes. Requires a tank with a lot of hiding spots and plenty of live rock to hunt.
6. Eight-Line Wrasse 🐠
Beautifully colored with eight distinctive lines. Known for its pest control abilities and preference for tanks with plenty of live rock.
7. Marine Betta 🐡
A slow-moving, peaceful fish that can be the focal point of a properly set up tank. Prefers a dimly lit tank with plenty of caves.
8. Blue Reef Chromis 🎏
A hearty, vibrantly blue fish that adds a lively splash of color to any aquarium. Known for its peaceful nature and schooling behavior.
9. Chalk Bass 🐟
A small, hearty fish with subtle but attractive coloration. Prefers a tank with a good amount of rock work and hiding places.
10. Zebra Barred Dartfish 🐠
A slender, elegant fish with distinctive black and white stripes. Peaceful and social, often found in pairs or small groups.
Remember to do your research on each individual species and its compatibility with others before adding them to your tank. 👍
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[@sherreef]

Great list of fish, nice to get some different suggestions!

[@reefrookies]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@SamiBabyPaul]

Love the different variety

[@reefrookies]

I do too!! Thanks for watching.

[@SeanLaughs]

I had a linear blenny, not good with sps. Tore up my bubblegum digi. got it on video. love the fish though, tons of personality

[@reefrookies]

Interesting, in my reading nothing was mentioned about them going after corals. Thanks for sharing your experience!

[@SeanLaughs]

@@reefrookies its not to common, but if they get a liking to whatever they bit. Its pretty much done for.

[@jasminoosterhoff457]

Oh how i want a marine betta! Only 2 saltwater fish stores near me and they never have these

[@reefrookies]

Definitely a cool fish. Ive only seen a few here myself. Maybe online?

[@scottcelere9140]

Scooter Blenny and spotted Wrasse are so unappreciated lol I love mine haha not to mention a school of Blue Valvet Damsels for color

[@reefrookies]

Cool fish for sure

[@Riotshield69]

is the yellow striped cardinal fish be kept with shrimps?

[@reefrookies]

Larger shrimp like cleaners, or fire shrimps are ok, It will pick at smaller species.

[@nathantapscott9144]

I will one day do a marine Betta only tank

[@reefrookies]

Would be cool

[@wyldwolf985]

Sharing

[@reefrookies]

Thanks bro

[@edwarddoonan5253]

The Azure damsels aren't bad, clownfish are huge jerks.

[@reefrookies]

So moody! Lol

[@edwarddoonan5253]

@@reefrookies lol my female is about to be sent to the gulag sump if she doesn't leave my tang alone.

[@arizbigalme7345]

🇧🇷😉

[@reefrookies]

Thanks for watching.

[@marineworldchallenges]

❤❤

[@MACNTOSFAM]

sorry, a majority of these fishes need intermediate level of care and a well established tank… that’s not for beginners

[@loneshark74.29]

The list wasn’t labeled as beginner friendly, and you’re acting like he didn’t put a care level for each fish?? Think before you comment bud.

[@MACNTOSFAM]

@@loneshark74.29 i’m sorry. are you dyslexic buddy? it sure does say, underrated beginner fish on the label 😂 . re-read his label & connect the word “beginner” into the care level for those fishes. when someone says… moderate care level, or established tank level… it means beginner to you then? 😂 i would suggest saying, “underrated fishes in a sw tank or reef tank.” i own & have owned a few of those fishes and they certainly require more than a beginner’s experience to care for, including a tank that’s stable.

[@loneshark74.29]

@@MACNTOSFAMso the care level doesn’t exist, alright.

[@MACNTOSFAM]

@@loneshark74.29 your rebuttal is the care level mentioned in his video… which is irrelevant to the way he labeled it. i’m not sure if you even know what you’re arguing for. 😂

[@loneshark74.29]

⁠​⁠​⁠@@MACNTOSFAMThe title doesn’t make the care level irrelevant? You shouldn’t ignore that because of what the title says lol.