Welcome to my blog. Theyre hardy, colorful, and lively. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. They are a nocturnal species and may want to hide for parts of the day. Guppies are small and peaceful fish that feature some very bright colors. Therefore, each of them needs at least 5 gallons of tank space. Theyre excellent beginner fish with a unique look, and theyll fit neatly into the environment of a 30-gallon tank. Damsels get a bit of a bad rap, often used as borderline throwaway fish to get tanks cycled but theyre awesome critters in their own right. They also make excellent dither fish, drawing out the less secure residents of your system. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Best Corals For a 30 Gallon Reef Tank Top 20 Best saltwater Fish For Your Aquarium Their deep coloration is unique, even among reef fish, and they have a graceful look to them. Wed actively suggest you get a 30 gallon tank if you are just starting out. Firefish are just as easy to look after as the watchman goby on the whole. The Green Chromis is a peaceful tank mate and can live up to 8 years in captivity. Maybe all your saltwater fish prefer small spaces and you dont have enough caves and formations to accommodate them. That means keeping them requires individual assessments of any other fish added to the system. Many people would consider the angelfish to be one of the best single fish choices for 29-gallon tanks. Guppies also make for some really peaceful tank mates that get along well with others. As the name might suggest, the Bicolor Blenny starts with a dull bluish brown head and transitions to an orange tail. The Pajama Cardinal is reef safe and peaceful towards other fish. Firefish in general are a great choice for small to medium tanks, but with a 30 gallon tank, you can easily house a few at once. The Starkii Damsel is one of the many damselfish suitable for keeping in a 30-gallon aquarium. As you can see, how many fish you can house in a 29- to 30-gallon tank all depends on the exact type of fish. The Purple Firefish is another goby that comes in at a bit above 3 in length. If you are looking for a fish that makes for a great community tank mate, a bottom dweller that keeps to itself and that likes to feed on debris in the aquarium, and one that looks cool too, then the cory catfish is a good option to consider. It likes to keep to the middle of the tank when it has become used to its surroundings. This species can reach 3 inches in length and upwards of 5 years. Whats not to love? These fish are a bit aggressive. It prefers to be around other peaceful fish and the Chalk Bass is another potential jumper. An indispensable tool for acclimation and many other aquarium tasks. There are so many beautiful and interesting fish that can thrive in 30-gallon tanks. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. The best plan for stocking saltwater fish for a 10-gallon tank would be to pick 5 fish or fewer, in total, from the following options and create a healthy, compatible community saltwater tank: 1 or 2 small, peaceful Clownfish ( Preferably Pink or Orange skunk due to their mild manners, but and Ocellaris and Percula (like Picasso ) are okay These fish are also super beginner friendly as they are very hardy, not prone to disease, arent picky eaters, and can survive in a very wide range of water conditions. Enjoy! There are quite a few bottom feeding fish out there that are ideal for 30-gallon tanks, so lets take a quick look at some of the best ones. Join our list of interested reefers to get the latest updates, Also, dont forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, & Pinterest, We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. The main thing to be aware of is that they need plenty of room to swim, 30-gallons should be fine for one of these fish but you may need to move them to a bigger tank. They can are semi-aggressive and also eat smaller species or shrimp. WebHere is a shortlist of our top 7 best saltwater fish for a 30 gallon tank: Royal Dottyback; Green Mandarin Dragonet; Flame Angelfish; Pajama Cardinal; Purple Firefish Goby; Sexing Banggai Cardinalfish isnt easy, but they do display sexual dimorphism if you know what to look for. These fish are remarkably easy to keep. Space is such a crucial factor, maybe more so than anything else to begin with. Care should always be taken when introducing multiple species of goby to a tank, but with enough hiding spots, they should be able to coexist with other species in the family. Saltwater Fish All the saltwater aquarium fish below would make a great addition to your 30-gallon saltwater aquarium. Here we quickly want to provide you with some examples of tank stocking combinations that you can go with for your 30-gallon tank. With sufficient research, however, youre looking at one of the most beautiful fish around. These little fish enjoy small spaces so having a 30-gallon tank with plenty of live rock that allows for crevices will make it feel safe and happy. These fish are also very low maintenance, as they can survive in a wide array of water temperatures, pH levels, and water hardness levels too. Weve also mentioned the molly fish in our easiest saltwater fish to raise guide and they will fit right at home in a 30 gallon tank. These fish also require some loose coral and rocks with plenty of swimming room. Cichlids, like angelfish, can be quite aggressive towards other fish, so they do need lots of tank space. They can also jump out of your tank like other species on this list so ensure that you have a tight lid that will prevent that from happening. The venom relaxes the victim which would allow the blenny to escape to live another day. The waters in that region actually come down from Alaska, making them much colder than youd expect from sunny Baja California. For many, these fish are the pinnacle of the hobby. Its so important to get your numbers right, however, if you want your fish and other marine creatures to be happy and healthy. This is a specialized fish, often used as an algae eater in reef tanks, and it blends in well with the majority of substrates. It only grows to around 3.5 inches and can be kept in a 30-gallon tank. Clownfish are so named due to their orange body with white blotches running down their sides like clowns makeup. They even live well in less than They are a reef safe saltwater fish, too. These fish are usually quite peaceful, but they can be territorial over their hiding place. From the tiny dragonets to the fierce Dottyback and even the humble Molly all will do well in a mid-sized marine enclosure. We try our best to keep things fair and balanced, in order to help you make the best choice for you. If you are looking forward to setting up a 50-gallon saltwater tank, the finest range of fishes would include clownfish, dwarf angelfish, coral beauties, and some species of the wrasse. Best saltwater fish for 30-gallon tank? Taking care of, Coral reefs are often called the rainforests of the sea, teeming with diverse and fascinating marine life. If you want to keep a pair of angelfish together, you will need a tank of at least 30 gallons in size. Due to its durable nature, new fish keepers like its forgiving nature. So, which of these fish are going to make their home in your tank? The angelfish is known for being a fairly aggressive cichlid. Theyre among the hardest marine fish to keep in captivity, but it can be done. Therefore, you should provide each cherry barb with at least 2 gallons of tank space. Even the smaller fancy goldfish can reach up to 12 inches in length if properly cared for. The Best Fish for Your 30 Gallon Tank. Without a doubt, the Blue Damselfish is one of the bestselling saltwater fish in the US. Plus, their symbiotic relationship with anemone makes them an attractive addition to any saltwater aquarium. Dottybacks really are bright and colorful, meaning if you are keen to cheer up your tank, there are no reasons why you shouldnt look at Dotties first. On rare occasions, they may also nip other fish that look similar to them like firefish. Best Filters for 30 Gallon Aquarium Stats: Minimum Tank Size 20 Gallons; Max Size 3 Temperament Peaceful to Semi-Aggressive; The Ocellaris clownfish is the industrys most popular Menu. Unfortunately, you cant really keep a school in any reasonably sized tank. The Coralife Super Skimmer protein skimmer that can hung on the aquarium or used in a sump. The angelfish is technically a cichlid, and they can grow up to 6 inches in length and 8 inches tall. Killifish. Best Filtration Systems for Aquariums Lets dive in and take a look at what you need to know about setting up a 30-gallon saltwater aquarium, and which fish work the best in a setup this size. They only grow to be around 3 inches. A fancy goldfish is going to require about 10 to 20 gallons of tank space on its own, whereas a common goldfish needs closer to 30 gallons. They are wonderful beginner fish and you will learn a lot from them if you care for them. Experts told us what to look for when buying a tank for saltwater, freshwater, and betta fish. You found the perfect saltwater tank for your budget and your available space. The Dottybacks diet include. These are also very low maintenance fish that are quite hardy and not overly prone to disease, plus they make for great aquarium tank mates too. Clownfish are a classic choice for 30 gallon tanks. The Royal Dottyback is easily mistaken for the more easygoing Royal Gramma, since they share a similar bicolor pattern with closely matched colors. Their eyes give them a lot of character and they look a little funny, in an endearing way. In terms of how much space your fish need, just keep in mind that most fish follow the 1 gallon per inch of fish rule. The main culprit appears to be crabs, but problems with clams, shrimp, and anemones have also been reported so keep an eye out. For example, your 30-gallon fish tank can accommodate about 20 up to 30 small and medium fish. When calculating the number of fish in your aquarium, be sure to consider the estimated size of each inhabitant as an adult. Do your research before buying new fish. Aquariums do not come with pre-molded stock lists attached. They can be semi-aggressive and a little territorial. Prior to becoming Editor-in-Chief of It's a Fish Thing, Lindsey studied marine biology at the University of California-Santa Cruz. These fish are usually captive only. That means you need several inches (generally 8+) of debris and sand for them to dig into and form their burrow, this will keep the fish secure. Best 30 Gallon Fish Tank Kits of 2023 | (29-30 gallon) Its a good size that doesnt take up too much space yet is large enough to fit a good number of fish. Web46,422 views Premiered Aug 16, 2020 In Today's video, We are going to be taking a look at the Top 10 saltwater fish that easy to keep and are a great fit for a 30-gallon reef tank. Moreover, they grow to 6 inches long and 8 inches tall, making them quite large. If you look closely at a 29- or 30-gallon tank, it doesnt look all that big. Killifish are fairly small and will usually top out at around 2 inches in length. We have created a list of great fish that thrive in 30-gallon tanks. The Royal Gramma is defined by its purple and yellow color and is a really great addition to your saltwater aquarium. The Orchid Dottyback is reef safe and can make a great addition to any aquarium if given the proper care. If youre up to the challenge of keeping them, the Dragonet will reward you with beautiful colors and their healthy life will stand to your accomplishments as an aquarist. Clownfish get along with a wide array of tank mates They are easy to care for in an aquarium but if you are want to learn more about Clownfish and introducing them to your saltwater aquarium, check out this article from Reef Tank Resource discussing just that! These peaceful fish can live upwards of 5 plus years. Best Saltwater Fish For 30 Gallon Tank (Beginner-Friendly) For that reason, a tank that contains one needs to be very well established. One thing to note is that killifish do require fairly specific water parameters, especially in terms of the water temperature and pH, but they are still quite easy to care for in general. Just be aware that the research and time needed are a serious investment, even more so than the other related species of dragonet. Or for a peaceful community tank some easy species are odessa barbs, mollies, or cory catfish. As the name implies, the Zebra Barred Dartfish has vertical red stripes lining the sides of its body. We really cant blame you if you are! They are small carnivores that eat frozen and fresh food as well as Mysis Shrimp. Manage Settings Best Reef Aquarium Fish One of the best saltwater fish for beginners, the Ocellaris Clownfish are relatively small fish but can reach 4 inches in length and have a lifespan upwards of 5 years in captivity. Most would recommend putting no more than three kuhli loaches in a 10-gallon tank, so in a 30-gallon tank, you could fit up to nine or maybe 10 of them. Whichever you choose, be sure to research compatibility first. Now, you do have to be careful here, as when it comes to 30-gallon tanks, you do want to stick with the smaller types of rainbowfish since some types can get very large. These fish usually come in different sizes, ranging from 0.8 to 4 inches in length. You can feed Chalk Bass Mysis Shrimp and properly sized pellet and frozen food and they are a reef safe addition. Fewer species also mean there are fewer potential problems, so its a great way to keep a fully stocked marine tank without balancing the needs of a dozen species of fish. Its pale green body helps to set it apart from other species and it can grow up to 4 inches in length. 30-gallons is only suitable for a single one of these fish, and you dont want to add them to a tank with another angelfish either. Theyre also predators when it comes to crustaceans, so care should be taken with choosing smaller shrimp and other invertebrates. Apart from their bright purple and yellow colors, theyre also very active and can add a lot of motion to the front of your tank. Clownfish need a lot of space, wherever possible. Theyre even bred in captivity. If you have a 30-gallon tank and intend to fill it with the rarest and most sought-after marine life on the planet, here are a few you should really be adding to your bucket list. Damselfish are great group fish, meaning that you may do best to adopt a few of them at once, ideal if you have a 30 gallon tank that you want to make the most of. The Yellow Watchman Goby is one of the best fish for saltwater aquarium beginners because they are not picky about their diet and will eat food readily available at Care Level: Easy. This 29-gallon rectangular glass tank is perfect for pairing with Tetra filtration, lighting and water care products (sold separately). How Many Fish Can I House in a 2930 Gallon Tank? However, they are tough fish which makes them great for beginners still learning the best practices of the hobby. This constant search also leads to very high-calorie use. It includes a 24 inch light fixture. These fish can hold their own with marine angelfish, who make good tankmates. 1. 30 gallons is on the small size for these fish due to their grazing needs, but it can be done if youre careful. Also known as the Fairy Basslet, these fish have a sharp divide in color which looks almost unnatural. The excellent schools for a 30-gallon tank would be fish like Tetras, Barbs, and Rasboras. Keep that tank lid secure and be wary when removing it. The venom of the Striped Blenny is a very strange cocktail, primarily affecting opioid receptors. This is what we are trying to avoid when we are planning our marine aquariums. Lawnmower Blenny prefers an established large tank as well as plenty of small spaces for hiding. Best Saltwater Aquarium Fish For Beginners The Starkii is a beautiful blue and yellow fish when healthy. They are low maintenance and can handle varying water temperatures, pH levels, and hardness levels, plus they are omnivores that are not picky in the least. The main attraction is how active they are, constantly swimming and hunting for food throughout the water column. The main problem is that the diminutive fish is actually a predator. Its still worth the effort to track down a pistol shrimp to keep with them, as this amazing natural partnership can still happen in your own tank. The Best Saltwater Fish for a 30 Gallon Tank, Alveopora Coral Care Guide: Tips and Tricks for Keeping Your Coral Healthy, How Often Should You Change a Fish Tank Filter: Essential Guide. We would say that the ideal schooling fish for a 29-gallon tank would be the neon tetra. Ocellaris Clownfish. Their care is quite easy, and theyll readily accept most commercial marine fish foods and frozen foods. Theyre grazing predators, so its best that they have food available a few times per day. Cherry barbs are very small fish that can grow up to 2 inches in length, although they often top out at as small as 1.5 inches in length. The amount of water both hold as well as their unique and user-friendly shapes Its a 30-gallon tank and you are eager to begin to plan your very first saltwater aquarium. Firefish Gobies are magnificent little critters, defined by high-speed swimming, bright colors, and a surprisingly tall dorsal fin spike right at the front of the fin. What this could lead to is some unhappy fish and potentially some fighting over territory. Web1.6 Gallon Aquarium Starter Kit with Cover,aquaponics Growing System Fish Tank, self Cleaning Fish Tank Betta Fish Tank with Filter Desk Aquarium with Cover 100+ viewed in past week $40.99 $ 40 .