With over two million U.S. households with a saltwater aquarium, you are in good company. And the benefits of aquarium keeping are plenty. Watching these living works of art in their underwater world is a wonderful stress reliever and has even been credited for reducing blood pressure, improving mood, and reducing anxiety. Aquarium keeping also provides great educational opportunities for children to learn about aquatic life, geography, and responsibility. Fishkeeping is a long term commitment, as regular maintenance and diligence is necessary to keep aquatic life safe, happy, and healthy.

Reputable suppliers like LiveAquaria® are committed to offering sustainably raised aquatic life that is either aquacultured or responsibly harvested, which includes careful attention to both the animals and the habitat.

With so many options of beautiful fish, inverts (and corals for reef aquariums) available, there are many resources that make this hobby accessible and enable you to open up to the incredible world of aquaculture. You undoubtedly have your favorite specimens. Are you curious to know what the top selling saltwater species were at LiveAquaria® in 2023?

These are the top selling marine families of aquatic life purchased by LiveAquaria® customers in 2023. Learn more about these popular marine fish and saltwater inverts that can make a big impact in your home aquarium.

Tangs (also referred to as Surgeonfish), make a wonderful addition to the reef or fish only aquarium. Due to their temperament, it is suggested to keep only one Tang per aquarium.

Most Anthias fish species are relatively hardy but require food often in order to thrive in the home aquarium. Due to the complex social structure of Anthias, it is advisable to keep one specimen per tank.

Dwarf Angelfish are among the most colorful and popular of marine Angelfish species. Growing to about four inches in length, these mild tempered fish adapt well to captivity and are compatible with many other species.

Large Angelfish are among the most popular fish for the home saltwater aquarium, and most adapt well to captivity. Their diet consists of microalgae, sponges, and zooplankton. It is advisable not to introduce Angelfish from the same genus into an aquarium, as fighting will usually occur.

Other than those labeled “with caution”, Reef Safe Wrasse will not pick at or consume corals or most invertebrates. They are some of the most colorful of the moderately-sized saltwater fish to be incorporated into a reef aquarium. Many of these Wrasse fish species are highly active by nature and are nearly always swimming out in the open, adding activity and beauty to either a reef or fish-only aquarium.

Blennies most often reach a size of three inches and are typically bottom dwellers. Somewhat territorial in nature, only one species per tank is recommended. Extensive rockwork and a good growth of microalgae are necessary to successfully maintain them in captivity.

Clownfish are small, and most are brightly colored with white stripes on the head or side of the body. This group of fish is extremely hardy and is well suited to life in the average aquarium. Ideally, Clownfish should be purchased in small groups consisting of one species and introduced to the aquarium simultaneously.

Foxface Lo, found in shallow lagoons in nature, have small, hare-like mouths, large dark eyes, and a peaceful temperament. They are colorful, and have well developed, venomous dorsal and anal fin spines. Aquarists should use caution when handling these fish, as the spines will inflict a painful sting.

Butterflyfish are perennial favorites among marine hobbyists. The care required among this group of fish varies a great deal due to the special feeding requirements (live coral polyp) of some species. A large tank with ample hiding places is necessary to successfully maintain some species.

Comical, entertaining, and peaceful, Jawfish make a great addition to any saltwater community or reef aquarium. They will construct a burrow in the aquarium substrate, preferring to keep an eye on everything from there and may even spit gravel at any fish that comes too near.

Lionfish are hardy and adapt well to life in captivity. They usually prefer live foods, but some species will convert to frozen foods, especially if introduced to them when they are when young. They should be housed in an appropriately sized aquarium for the species with a lot of areas in which to hide.

Gobies are relatively small fish and adjust well to aquarium life. A well-sealed lid is a requirement for keeping them, as they will jump out of an open aquarium. Plenty of rockwork and the proper substrate of coral sand should be provided to enable burrowing or sand sifting.

Filefish are known algae eaters that do extremely well in captivity and make ideal candidates for the average home aquarium that does not contain crustaceans. They should be provided with adequate hiding places and ample swimming space.

Snails belong to one of the largest classes of organisms, with over 40,000 recognized species. While the shell itself is the primary means of protection, its ability to adhere to a surface and its production of noxious compounds also discourages predators.

Shrimp make interesting and colorful additions to an invertebrate or reef aquarium. They are scavengers that have a hard outer shell (carapace) that must be shed (molted) for the shrimp to grow.

Crabs can be found in nearly all marine environments and range in size from less than an inch to over 12 inches in diameter. Crabs are scavengers of any type of edible matter they find, providing an invaluable "cleaner" function, consuming both undesirable algae and detritus while aerating the sand.

The LiveAquaria® Algae Eater pack is a wonderful assortment of popular invertebrates that are conveniently packaged. Hobbyists can benefit from the cleaner services these inverts provide in a saltwater aquarium.

Sea Urchins make great additions to marine aquariums because they consume undesirable algae and detritus within the tank. Their long spines account for about two thirds of their total size. Aquarists should be diligent about checking in on them because sometimes Urchins can overturn rocks in the reef tank causing damage to themselves and other reef inhabitants such as live corals.

Live corals are the most important contributors to the structure of a saltwater reef in nature as well as in reef aquariums. The appearance of some species of corals varies dramatically depending upon their environment, but every one is sure to add interest, color, motion, as well as incredible beauty to their environment.

These species represent premium saltwater stock from the riches of the world's oceans. Are these marine fish or saltwater inverts included in your list of favorites? If so, you are in the company of other LiveAquaria® customers. If not, perhaps it is an opportunity to learn more about them and include some of them in your home aquarium.