If you are new to saltwater aquariums, you might be wondering what is the easiest marine fish to keep. The answer is not so simple, as different fish have different requirements, personalities, and compatibility with other tank inhabitants. However, some general criteria that make a fish easy to keep are: hardiness, adaptability, peacefulness, low cost, and availability. Based on these factors, some of the easiest marine fish to keep are clownfish, chromis, blennies, gobies, and cardinalfish. In this article, we will explore why these fish are suitable for beginners, and what you need to know before adding them to your tank.
Clownfish
Clownfish are probably the most popular and recognizable marine fish, thanks to their starring role in the movie Finding Nemo. They are also one of the easiest marine fish to keep, as they are hardy, colorful, and relatively inexpensive. Clownfish belong to the family Pomacentridae, which includes damselfish and chromis. They are usually found in association with anemones, which provide them with protection and food. However, clownfish do not need anemones to survive in captivity, and can live happily in a reef tank with other peaceful fish and invertebrates.
There are many species of clownfish, but the most common ones are the ocellaris clownfish (Amphiprion ocellaris) and the percula clownfish (Amphiprion percula). These two species look very similar, with orange bodies and white stripes, but the percula clownfish has thicker black margins on its stripes and a more rounded head. Both species are easy to care for, and can be kept in a tank as small as 10 gallons. They are also easy to feed, as they will accept a variety of foods, such as flakes, pellets, frozen, and live foods. Clownfish are also known to breed in captivity, and some hobbyists have successfully raised their offspring.
One thing to keep in mind when keeping clownfish is their territorial behavior. Clownfish can be aggressive towards other clownfish of the same or different species, especially if they have formed a pair. Therefore, it is best to keep only one species of clownfish in a tank, and either a single specimen or a mated pair. If you want to keep more than one pair of clownfish, you will need a larger tank with plenty of hiding places and anemones to reduce aggression.
Chromis
Chromis are another group of fish that belong to the family Pomacentridae, and are closely related to clownfish and damselfish. They are small, schooling fish that come in various colors, such as blue, green, yellow, and purple. Chromis are easy to keep, as they are hardy, peaceful, and inexpensive. They are also reef-safe, meaning they will not harm corals or other invertebrates in your tank.
Chromis are best kept in groups of at least six, as they are social fish that rely on each other for security and communication. They are also active swimmers, and will add movement and color to your tank. They can be kept in a tank as small as 20 gallons, but a larger tank will allow them to display their natural behavior better. Chromis are omnivorous, and will eat a variety of foods, such as flakes, pellets, frozen, and live foods. They are also easy to breed in captivity, and some hobbyists have successfully raised their offspring.
One thing to keep in mind when keeping chromis is their tendency to lose their color and become stressed when kept in poor conditions. Chromis need good water quality, adequate lighting, and stable temperature and salinity to thrive. They are also sensitive to diseases, such as ich and velvet, and should be quarantined before adding them to your tank. Chromis can also be bullied by larger or more aggressive fish, so make sure to choose compatible tank mates for them.
Blennies
Blennies are a diverse group of fish that belong to the suborder Blennioidei, which includes over 800 species. They are small, bottom-dwelling fish that have elongated bodies, large eyes, and whisker-like appendages on their heads. Blennies are easy to keep, as they are hardy, adaptable, and entertaining. They are also reef-safe, meaning they will not harm corals or other invertebrates in your tank.
Blennies are best kept singly, as they are territorial and will fight with other blennies of the same or different species. They are also shy and secretive, and will need plenty of hiding places and rocks to feel comfortable. Blennies are usually found perching on rocks or corals, and will dart in and out of their hiding places to feed or explore. They can be kept in a tank as small as 10 gallons, but a larger tank will provide them with more space and variety. Blennies are omnivorous, and will eat a variety of foods, such as algae, detritus, flakes, pellets, frozen, and live foods. They are also known to breed in captivity, and some hobbyists have successfully raised their offspring.
One thing to keep in mind when keeping blennies is their dietary needs. Blennies need a good amount of algae in their diet, as they are natural algae grazers. Therefore, it is important to provide them with live rock, macroalgae, or algae wafers to supplement their diet. Blennies can also be picky eaters, and may refuse to eat certain foods. Therefore, it is important to offer them a variety of foods, and observe their feeding behavior. Blennies can also be harassed by larger or more aggressive fish, so make sure to choose compatible tank mates for them.
Gobies
Gobies are another diverse group of fish that belong to the order Gobiiformes, which includes over 2,000 species. They are small, bottom-dwelling fish that have elongated bodies, large mouths, and fused pelvic fins that form a suction cup. Gobies are easy to keep, as they are hardy, colorful, and fascinating. They are also reef-safe, meaning they will not harm corals or other invertebrates in your tank.
Gobies are best kept singly, in pairs, or in small groups, depending on the species. Some gobies are territorial and will fight with other gobies of the same or different species, while others are peaceful and will coexist with other gobies. Some gobies are also known to form symbiotic relationships with shrimps, such as the pistol shrimp or the randall’s shrimp. These gobies and shrimps will share a burrow, and the goby will act as a lookout for the shrimp, while the shrimp will maintain the burrow and provide protection for the goby. Gobies can be kept in a tank as small as 10 gallons, but a larger tank will provide them with more space and variety. Gobies are omnivorous, and will eat a variety of foods, such as algae, detritus, flakes, pellets, frozen, and live foods. They are also easy to breed in captivity, and some hobbyists have successfully raised their offspring.
One thing to keep in mind when keeping gobies is their need for sand and rocks. Gobies need a sandy substrate to dig and burrow, and rocks to hide and perch. Therefore, it is important to provide them with a suitable environment that mimics their natural habitat. Gobies can also be jumpers, and may leap out of the tank if startled or stressed. Therefore, it is important to have a tight-fitting lid or cover on your tank to prevent them from escaping. Gobies can also be bullied by larger or more aggressive fish, so make sure to choose compatible tank mates for them.
Cardinalfish
Cardinalfish are a group of fish that belong to the family Apogonidae, which includes over 200 species. They are small, schooling fish that have oval-shaped bodies, large eyes, and forked tails. Cardinalfish are easy to keep, as they are hardy, peaceful, and inexpensive. They are also reef-safe, meaning they will not harm corals or other invertebrates in your tank.
Cardinalfish are best kept in groups of at least six, as they are social fish that rely on each other for security and communication. They are also nocturnal, and will hide during the day and come out at night to feed and swim. They can be kept in a tank as small as 20 gallons, but a larger tank will allow them to display their natural behavior better. Cardinalfish are carnivorous, and will eat a variety of foods, such as flakes, pellets, frozen, and live foods. They are also known to breed in captivity, and some hobbyists have successfully raised their offspring.
One thing to keep in mind when keeping cardinalfish is their unique breeding behavior. Cardinalfish are mouthbrooders, meaning the male will carry the fertilized eggs in his mouth until they hatch. During this time, the male will not eat, and will need a quiet and stress-free environment. Therefore, it is important to provide him with plenty of hiding places and low lighting, and avoid disturbing him. Cardinalfish can also be shy and timid, and may be outcompeted for food by larger or more aggressive fish. Therefore, it is important to choose compatible tank mates for them, and feed them at night when they are more active.
Conclusion
Keeping marine fish can be a rewarding and enjoyable hobby, but it requires careful research and planning before choosing the right fish for your tank. As we have seen, some of the easiest marine fish to keep are clownfish, chromis, blennies, gobies, and cardinalfish, because they are hardy, peaceful, inexpensive, and reef-safe. However, each of these fish has its own specific needs and preferences, and they are not interchangeable. By choosing the right fish for your tank, you can not only enjoy the beauty and diversity of marine life, but also contribute to their conservation and welfare. However, keeping marine fish also poses some challenges and responsibilities, such as maintaining water quality, preventing diseases, and ensuring compatibility among tank mates. Therefore, it is important to educate yourself and seek advice from experts before starting your saltwater aquarium journey.