Mad Hatters Top 10 Easy to Keep Saltwater Fish in Reef Tank

Not long ago we published Mad Hatter's Top 10 Hard to Keep Saltwater Fish in a Reef Tank and now we are publishing his Top 10 Easy to Keep Saltwater Fish.

10 - The Purple Firefish

There are two different variations fo the Purple Firefish as well as a few different variations of Firefish. The most common Firefish is the white to red coloration which is a beautiful fish, the Purple Filefish is fantastic and can add a ton of color to your tank and is ideal for smaller and larger tanks.

There are a few precautions you should take when dealing with this fish, mostly due to how timid the fish is. In a tank with semi-aggressive or aggressive fish, the Filefish could spend most of its time hiding in your tank. Ideally, you want to try to introduce Filefish first into your tank. This will allow them to establish a territory before other species are introduced and give it a higher likely hood of being successful. They are also jumpers, so you want to have a lid or screen to prevent them from jumping out.

9 - The Flame Hawkfish

The Flame Hawkfish can grow up to 3" long and required a 20-gallon tank or larger. The Flame Hawkfish is bright red and a stunning fish, and it also has an interesting behavior. It is common for it to swim and then perch on something and look around then swim off and then perch again. It is a very interesting fish to have in a reef tank.

One of the downsides to a Flame Hawkfish is that they prey on invertebrates such as snails, hermit crabs, and everything in-between. So if you are a fan of your clean up crew, then a Hawkfish may not be for you.

8 - The Tailspot Blenny

One of Mad Hatter's favorite fish due mostly to its behavior, the coloration of the Tailspot Blenny is not always the best, but the males get a blue hue on their face but a gorgeous fish. The Tailspot Blenny grows to 2" and can be in an aquarium as small as 20 gallons and up. Mad Hatter had on in his 220-gallon aquarium will constantly graze on algae in the aquarium, so it's always picking on rocks and the glass. He is a hard worker and a great addition to a reef tank.

7 - The Sixline Wrasse

There is a love-hate relationship for the Sixline Wrasse. The love for the Sixline comes from its bright coloration of the wrasse. Its quick movements and overall behavior and its ability to control some pest, it spent the entire time hunting your tank. Can be used to control Flatworms and Nudibranchs, they will continue to hunt them down. They are unlikely to eliminate them but can be used to control them from a massive outbreak.

The things that are disliked/hate about this fish is that they can become extremely aggressive towards other species. You will hear mixed reviews on the Sixline Wrasses behavior of being aggressive in the hobby. Some people will experience no aggression, and some hobbyist will not have such a great relationship with the Sixline Wrasse. Mad Hatter has had a bad experience with them but with that said he is looking to add one to his 220-gallon system possibly. He has not quite pulled the trigger on it yet due to his past experiences.

They are beautiful and a stunning fish and if you are lucky enough to get one of the good ones then they are extremely hardy and last a long time and due to a lot of great things for your tank. They are also known to be jumpers to take the proper precautions.

6 - The Banggai Cardinalfish

The Banggai Cardinalfish can grow up to 3" and the ideal tank size should be 30 gallons and up. Even though the Banggai Cardinal is a carnival fish, they are relatively peaceful fish. They will normally stay in an area and stay to themselves if bothered they will hide in the rock work. This is one species that will breed in an aquarium setting. This is a good thing how this fish was actually on the verge of extinction. Now there is an abundance of them that are tank-raised, which also makes them hardier and even better suited for aquarium life.

5 - The Foxface Rabbitfish

The Foxface Rabbitfish can grow to 9" and is best suited for a 100-gallon tank or bigger aquarium. They have similar behavior as a Tang fish and are known to be algae eating machines devouring algae on rock and the glasswork. The one bad thing about the Foxface Rabbitfish is that their spines are venomous and extream caution should be taken when placing your hand in the tank. The venom is extremely painful if you are stung. It is a defense mechanism to prevent it from being eaten. They are a very peaceful fish and a great tankmate. 

4 - The Coral Beauty

The Coral Beauty can grow to 4" and require a minimum tank size of 40-gallons. The Coral Beauty is a relatively shy fish so aggressive fish may cause it to hide often. Their colors of the Coral Beauty is outlines in a tone of dark blues, and their body can vary from different shades of yellow to red with blue markings. They are extremely hardy fish and also a suitable beginner angelfish that can adapt well to different water qualities.

3 - The Orchid Dottyback

The Orchid Dottyback can grow up to 3" but also can live in a fairly small environment of 10-gallons or bigger tank. This is a sight oriented fish, and the benefit of that is that it is now tank raised. The Orchid Dottyback at one point was hard to get a hold of, and now that the are aquacultured they are better suited for tank life and will be better off in the long run. This is very easy to keep saltwater fish.

2 - The Ocellaris Clownfish

When you think of a reef tank, most people first fish that they think of is the clownfish. Clownfish are very well adapted to the aquarium life and are incredibly hardy, making them very easy to keep. They can grow upwards to 4" require a tank size of 15-gallons or bigger, babies can be kept in a smaller tank too, and as they get older, they will need to be placed in a larger tank. They will eat just about anything that you put in the tank. They are sight oriented so they are used to small living spaces and they are overall very hardy fish.

1 - The Royal Gramma

The Royal Gramma can grow up to 3-1/2" and required a 15-gallon or larger tank. They are extremely easy to keep they are a cave-dwelling species, so you want to make sure that you aquascape has some cave work and hideaways in it so that it feels like a more natural environment for them. Their bright colors make them stand out, and they are incredibly docile by nature, so you do not have to worry about adding one to reef tank and them causing problems. This addition to your aquarium will add some color to the tank. They have a great personality and is going to be a good tank mate. What else can you ask for in a fish for your reef tank? That is why the Royal Gramma came in as #1 in the list.

What did you think of this list, do you disagree with any of the fish, what would you change or what would you add? Comment below.