Information About Saltwater Aquarium Fish

When stocking a saltwater fish tank, it is very important to study the requirements of different species of fish prior to purchasing any for the tank. Tropical saltwater fish come in a wide range of prices. Beginner saltwater fish hobbyists need to know which fish are hardy and can coexist in the tank. There are four categories of saltwater fish: carnivores, omnivores, herbivores and filter feeders.

  1. Carnivores

    • Carnivores, such as dottybacks and puffers, thrive on a meaty diet of other fish, crustaceans and invertbrates. Just like the carnivores on land, they are scavengers and eat until they are full. They may not eat again for another day or two, or until they are hungry.

    Herbivores

    • Herbivores eat plants and algae. Tangs, sea urchins and starfish are in this category of fish. They roam around all day searching for food, and they will eat as they have the opportunity to do so.

    Omnivores

    • Omnivores have a diet of coral, crustaceans, inverts and plant life. Clownfish, blennies and butterflyfish fall into this category. Some types of butterflyfish tend to feed on either corals or sponges.

    Filter Feeders

    • Filter feeders get their nutrition by filtering the nutrients and microscopic organisms that are suspended in the water. Coral and sponges get their food this way. Also in this category are sand-sifting fish such as the sea cucumber and starfish, which filter the substrate environment.

    Fish for Beginners

    • The blue tang, clownfish and butterflyfish were made popular by the Disney/Pixar movie "Finding Nemo." All three fish are low-maintenance and are compatible with one another. Other tropical saltwater fish that are compatible with them are the bicolor dottyback (also called a bicolor pseudochromis), the reef chromis and the blenny. It should be noted that the blenny and the pseudochromis can coexist with each other, but they should be placed together with caution.