Saltwater fish are wonderful to care for because they are colorful and one-of-a-kind, but they are more difficult to keep than freshwater fish. In general, saltwater fish do not require a large tank, but having a larger tank (such as a 90-gallon tank) allows you to keep many different types of fish species. In this article, I’ll make your life easier by listing the best saltwater fish for a 90-gallon tank, as well as some saltwater fish care tips and tricks. Continue reading to find out more!
How many fish can you keep in a 90 gallon fish tank?
A typical 90-gallon tank is 24 inches deep, 48 inches long, and 18 inches wide. When empty, it weighs about 160 pounds, but when full, it can weigh more than 1000 pounds. In a 90-gallon tank, you can usually keep twenty or more saltwater fishes, but it is recommended that you only keep fifteen or less to reduce maintenance and will likely leady to better mental health for your fish.
When choosing your saltwater fish, make sure you do your homework on which fish species go well together. This will help prevent one species from becoming aggressive towards another. You should also consider whether they are schooling fish and what type of diet each species requires. If you want a smaller tank, you should check out my article on What Saltwater Fish Can Live In A 30 Gallon Tank?
Best Saltwater Fish for 90 Gallon Tank
The best saltwater fish for a 90 gallon tank include clownfish, green chromis, bicolor benny, goby, lawnmower blenny, hawkfish, six line wrasse, angelfish, yellow tangs, and damselfish.
- Clownfish – The clownfish is the most popular saltwater fish, owing to the Disney film Finding Nemo. They are simple to care for and get along with many other fish. Their diets are also simple, and their colors are a great addition to your tanks. They typically require a minimum of a 20-gallon tank, but because of their love for sea anemones, this species is ideal for larger aquariums! They also love swimming through rocks and coral.
- Green Chromis – This is a laid-back fish that is easy to care for and relatively inexpensive. They are a schooling fish that requires a lot of rocks in their aquarium. Green Chromis fish are also peaceful, so they get along with a wide variety of other fish. This species requires a minimum tank size of 30 gallons, but they can be kept in larger tanks because they are schooling fish.
- Bicolor Benny – The Bicolor Benny is a feisty and sociable fish that likes to pop in and out of crevices and rocks. They enjoy eating algae and will contribute to the upkeep of your tank. While bicolor bennies require only a 30-gallon tank, this species will thrive in a larger tank, especially if the tank has plenty of hiding and perching spots!
- Goby – There are many different types of goby fish suitable for saltwater tanks. Some of my favorite gobies include the yellow watchman goby, the firefish goby, the diamond goby, and the clown goby. All of these are peaceful species of fish that are simple to care for. Their diets are simple because they eat almost anything, and they are also entertaining to watch because they move quickly and like to hide. Most Gobies require at least a 30-gallon tank, but they can be kept in larger tanks.
- Lawnmower Blenny – This fish is both peaceful and active. It is a great choice for beginners because they are easy to care for. It prefers to perch on living rocks, hide in caves, and hop across the substrate. By eating algae, it will also help keep your tank clean. It is best to keep only one of these in your tank because they can be territorial towards those similar to them (unless it is their mate). A lawnmower blenny requires a tank size of at least 30-gallons, but their appearance makes them ideal for larger tanks!
- Longnose Hawkfish – This colorful and fun fish is great because they are easy to care for. The fish itself is one-of-a-kind, and they are laid-back fish. Keep in mind that they can be semi-aggressive towards other long-bodied fish. They require at least a 30-gallon tank size, but it is recommended that they be kept in larger tanks. If you buy this species, make sure your aquarium has a tight-fitting lid because these little guys are escape artists!
- Six Line Wrasse – The six-line wrasse is a low-cost, colorful, and active fish that is an excellent addition to any saltwater tank. It is a peaceful fish in general, but it can be semi-aggressive toward other wrasses and other easily intimidated fish. This fish species requires a peaceful environment with at least a 30-gallon tank size, but it will prefer a larger tank with plenty of hiding places and rocks for foraging.
- Coral Beauty Angelfish – These beautiful fish are among the easiest saltwater fish in the angelfish category and are well-known in Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. They are easy to handle and do not have special dietary requirements. They can be semi-aggressive, so use caution when pairing them with other species. Coral beauty angelfish require a minimum tank size of 70 gallons but can be kept in larger tanks.
- Yellow Tangs – Yellow tangs, also known as yellow surgeonfish, are among the most popular saltwater fish kept in tanks. These brightly colored fish have odd faces and even odder personalities! They are simple to look after and generally available in pet stores. They require at least a 55-gallon tank, but larger tanks can be used. One thing to remember about yellow tangs is that they can be aggressive towards other fish, so make sure to do your research before buying one!
- Domino Damselfish – The Domino Damselfish is a well-known fish species, partly because of its appearance and partly because of its personality. They are very active fish that are ideal for beginners. Because they can be aggressive, they must be carefully paired with other species. The domino damselfish requires a minimum tank size of 55 gallons, but they would prefer larger tanks due to their high activity level.
How to maintain a 90 gallon topical fish tank?
Maintaining a saltwater aquarium can be difficult, so here are some pointers to consider before purchasing one:
- Check the salinity of your tank’s water on a daily basis. Saltwater aquariums lose water more frequently due to evaporation, and when this happens, the salt remains behind, causing the salt in the water to become more concentrated. To correct this, add heated freshwater regularly to keep the salinity stable.
- Inspect the pH level every day. When it comes to pH water levels, saltwater fish have more stringent requirements, so consistency is critical.
- Make sure the water temperature is consistent. Most saltwater fish are from warm tropical waters, so it is important to maintain a warm temperature.
- Perform a water change on a weekly basis.
- Conduct regular filtration inspections.
- Scrub the algae in your tank at least once a week. If you have corals, their need for bright lights will often exacerbate algae problems. Check your water quality if you have a severe algae buildup; this could be the cause. One way to minimize algae growth in your tank is to get an algae eating fish.
Conclusion
When starting a new saltwater aquarium community, it is best to start with peaceful, low maintenance fish. Introduce one type of fish at a time, allowing them to get to know each other before introducing fish that are known for being more aggressive. While saltwater fish tanks can be hard to take care of compared to freshwater aquariums, selecting the right fish will make the process go more smoothly.