The Best Saltwater Aquariums

Saltwater fish and invertebrates, such as living corals and anemones, are fascinating creatures to keep in an aquarium. The best saltwater aquariums are correctly sized for the marine creatures they contain. Most coral reef fish are highly territorial and require a large aquarium. Seawater fish require water that is pure and toxin free. Marine aquarists need to offer their fish a suitable habitat and must ensure that only compatible species are housed together.

  1. Correct Size

    • Most coral reef fish are highly territorial and require a large aquarium. Successful aquarists choose aquariums in excess of 100 gallons for the larger angelfish and surgeonfish species. Certain marine fish types, such as sea horses, are poor swimmers and can easily be housed in considerably smaller tanks as small as 40 gallons. The best seawater aquariums are longer than they are high, as coral reef fish tend to swim in a horizontal plane.

    Filtration

    • Seawater fish require pristine water conditions, so the best aquariums have the correct filtration systems. Protein skimmers, which are not used in freshwater tanks, are important for removing protein from the water. Large canister filters that include chemical, mechanical and biological filter compartments, are valuable, particularly if large specimens are housed or if the aquarium is heavily stocked. Power heads, which circulate water, are included in the best seawater aquariums.

    Habitat

    • Seawater fish and invertebrate animals are found in various habitats under natural conditions. The best seawater aquariums provide the correct habitat for each creature housed within them. Wrasse species sleep below the substrate and require soft sand into which they can burrow. Many fish species are powerful swimmers and require open space within the aquarium. Octopi need dark caves in which to shelter, while sea horses appreciate coral skeletons or sea weed to cling to with their prehensile tails. Sea anemones require rocks on which they can attach and small coral fish species need coral rubble or pieces of rock, under or behind which they can take cover.

    Compatible Species

    • A number of marine fish species, such as sea horses and young sharks, are best kept in species only tanks. Sea horses are slow swimmers that cannot easily compete for food with most other tank mates. The young of bottom-dwelling shark species and other creatures with special husbandry needs, such as octopi, require an aquarium of their own. Many of the smaller marine species, such as anemonefish, cardinal fish, cleaner wrasse and the hardier butterflyfish types, can be housed together.