You may have a fear in common with many first-time saltwater aquarists. You’re worried about going to bed at night with a beautiful aquarium, only to wake up in the morning with all your fish belly-up. Not only is this discouraging, but it can also be a blow to your budget. After all, saltwater aquariums aren’t cheap, with some fish costing hundreds of dollars.
Some advice? Start your journey into marine aquarium-keeping with some hardy and (for lack of a better term) hard-to-kill fish.
1. Longnose Hawkfish Are Hardy, But Aggressive
If you’re looking for a unique, ornamental saltwater fish, look no further than the longnose hawkfish, a slender fish characterized by its needle-like snout. They generally measure no more than five inches, sporting red-and-white lattice patterning. Many aquarists note that these fish are hardy and can withstand various aquarium fluctuations (given that owners intervene promptly).
The one issue with keeping longnose hawkfish is that they’re a semi-aggressive species that will eat anything that fits in their mouth—and that includes other tankmates! They’re also known for being escape artists and may jump from the water, so you should secure a tightly fitting lid to your aquarium. You don’t want to wake up in the morning and find your hawkfish gasping for air on the living room floor!
2. Volitian Lionfish: Invasive Fish, Hardy Pets
The volitan lionfish (also known as the common lionfish) are amazing ornamental additions to any aquarium. Not only are these fish exceptionally hardy (and therefore great fish for first-time aquarists), but they also have bold personalities that are engaging to observe. Lionfish are also fairly low maintenance; you only have to feed them three or four times a week.
While these venomous fish are undeniably fascinating, they’re best housed solo. Lionfish are predatory and will eat smaller fish or crustaceans when given the opportunity. They can also kill other fish indirectly after releasing toxins from their spikes. That’s right; fish don’t need to be stung to suffer the effects of this highly defensive fish.
However, when housed with same-sized fish, lionfish can become quite docile and spend most of their time either swimming out in the open or hiding in one of many caves in the aquarium. They need the water’s pH to remain at 8 to 8.4, thriving in temperatures between 74 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. While hardy, you should do everything possible to prevent the temperature from fluctuating too much in a 24-hour period, as this could stress the fish and cause health problems.
3. Orange-Spotted Gobies Make Great Tank Cleaners
There’s no denying it: cleaning an aquarium is hard work. Yet, you can give yourself more time in-between cleaning sessions when you add bottom feeders to your aquarium. These fish spend most of their time sifting through the tank’s substrate and consuming decaying matter, such as uneaten food. The best tank cleaner for your aquarium? Meet the orange-spotted goby. You can observe these small fish swallowing sand and spitting it through their gills, retaining anything edible.
They require:
- Temperatures between 72 to 74 degrees Fahrenheit
- The water’s pH to be at 8.1 to 8.4
- Aquariums of at least 10 gallons
- Freedom from large, aggressive fish (like cichlids)
Although orange-spotted gobies can feed themselves, you should supplement their diet with frozen shrimp, worms, and other protein-rich foodstuffs to help them thrive.
4. “Finding Nemo” Fish Are Fairly Hardy
If you’re a fan of the 2003 film “Finding Nemo”, you may be pleased to learn that many of the fish featured in the movie make great additions to saltwater aquariums. These include:
- Blue tang (Dory’s character). Believe it or not, these fish can become boisterous in community tanks if they don’t have places to hide and roam. Still, they thrive on protein-rich diets and generally aren’t aggressive. You should do everything possible to keep the aquarium clean, as these fish can develop fish disease ich and other health problems.
- Clownfish. There are many types of clownfish, from the orange-and-white ocellaris clownfish to the black-and-white true percula clownfish. Both are known for their gentle, easygoing nature.
- Yellow tang. This fish generally gets along with tankmates, provided that it’s introduced early.
Many fans of the hit movie are curious as to whether the Moorish idol (Gil’s character, commonly mistaken for an angelfish) is easy to keep. The short answer: no. They have very specific dietary requirements and can deteriorate quickly under unsuitable tank conditions.
5. Coral Beauty Angelfish: Beautiful and Resilient
Looking for a multi-colored fish that’s both hardy and cheap? Your search ends here: meet the coral beauty angelfish. Also called the two-spined angelfish, these unique aquatic creatures are great for 70-gallon aquariums with suitable hiding places. They’re not ideal for aquariums with reef, as they will eat it. According to the Spruce Pets, they’re relatively calm compared to other angelfish but can still be semi-aggressive.
Other facts to know about this fish include:
- They reach a maximum size of four-and-a-half inches long. They’re usually between two to three inches long upon purchase.
- They require temperatures between 72 to 78 degrees Fahrenheit.
- They need pH levels of 8.1 to 8.4.
- To truly thrive, they need frozen shrimp and other protein-rich, quality food.
There are many myths and misconceptions about saltwater aquariums—namely that they’re best left to professionals. With preparation and research, however, it’s possible for first-time aquarium keepers to maintain and enjoy thriving saltwater aquariums.
