Compatibility is the name of the game when it comes to an aquarium, especially a reef tank. No fish can be considered 100% reef safe. That’s also true for many invertebrates. Reef safe fish and invertebrates are plentiful but obviously care must be taken to choose fish that will be a good fit with your corals. Also, hardy fish over more difficult to care for fish are preferred. Let’s run down the top ten list of fish to consider.
Top 10 Reef Safe Fish
10. Yellow Tang
The quintessential saltwater fish, the Yellow Tang. This vibrant yellow fish is an active swimmer and good for eating algae as well.
9. Firefish
An active fish in the Goby family. It’s quite a hardy fish and the purple variant pictured is gorgeous.
8. Starry Blenny
Personality is what makes this little guy a hoot. They perch on rocks searching for algae to graze on.
7. Neon Blue Goby
These vibrant blue fish are quite small yet beautiful. A great addition to a nano reef.
6. Yellow Assessor
This beautify reef safe fish has stunning fin colorations. A great addition.
5. Blue Reef Chromis
A schooling fish, you’ll want to purchase a group as opposed to an individual. They are active and occupy the upper portion of your tank.
4. Banggai Cardinal
This schooling fish is best kept in small groups. Caves and outcroppings are ideal as they tend to be rather sedentary.
3. Orchid Dottyback
This beautiful and active purple fish darts in and out of rock work, feeding on pests such as bristle worms.
2. Mandarin Dragonette
A great reef tank fish but the most difficult on this list. My sentimental favorite. Probably the most gorgeous fish you can own.
1. Clownfish
Probably the most popular fish, and for good reason. Super hardy and a very frisky personality. Reminds me of a puppy version of a fish. Not to mention the amazing symbiotic relationship they have with anemones. You can’t go wrong with one of these little guys.
10. Yellow Tang
The quintessential saltwater fish, the Yellow Tang. This vibrant yellow fish is an active swimmer and good for eating algae as well.
9. Firefish
An active fish in the Goby family. It’s quite a hardy fish and the purple variant pictured is gorgeous.
8. Starry Blenny
Personality is what makes this little guy a hoot. They perch on rocks searching for algae to graze on.
7. Neon Blue Goby
These vibrant blue fish are quite small yet beautiful. A great addition to a nano reef.
6. Yellow Assessor
This beautify reef safe fish has stunning fin colorations. A great addition.
5. Blue Reef Chromis
A schooling fish, you’ll want to purchase a group as opposed to an individual. They are active and occupy the upper portion of your tank.
4. Banggai Cardinal
This schooling fish is best kept in small groups. Caves and outcroppings are ideal as they tend to be rather sedentary.
3. Orchid Dottyback
This beautiful and active purple fish darts in and out of rock work, feeding on pests such as bristle worms.
2. Mandarin Dragonette
A great reef tank fish but the most difficult on this list. My sentimental favorite. Probably the most gorgeous fish you can own.
1. Clownfish
Probably the most popular fish, and for good reason. Super hardy and a very frisky personality. Reminds me of a puppy version of a fish. Not to mention the amazing symbiotic relationship they have with anemones. You can’t go wrong with one of these little guys.
Tank Care Essentials
Top 10 Reef Safe Invertebrates
10. Cerith Snail
This tiny little guy has a huge appetite for detritus, fish food, fish waste, and algae. A handful of these active scavengers is not only reef safe but a highly recommended member of a clean-up crew.
9. Turbo Snail
This large snail is a super algae grazer. It also earns it’s name as a turbo. They really do get around the tank in a hurry for a snail. A really great clean-up crew member.
8. Blue Leg Hermit Crab
Another great clean-up crew member. This crab is an active member of your aquarium. Interesting to watch wander your rock work.
7. Emerald Crab
When it comes to clean-up crew, the Emerald Crab is my favorite. Loads of personality and an awesome worker.
6. Feather Duster
A relative of the earth worm but much more beautiful. This filter feeder can help add a bit of diversity to any reef tank.
5. Red Gracilaria
A beautiful red algae that can be grown in your display tank. If your herbivores aren’t too voracious it should grow well.
4. Peppermint Shrimp
Shrimp are entertaining additions. The bonus with the Peppermint Shrimp is it is known to eat Aiptasia.
3. Coral Banded Shrimp
This beautiful and entertaining shrimp is not only reef-safe but also known to eat bristle worms.
2. Scarlet Cleaner Shrimp
Another beautiful shrimp. This one being extremely entertaining to watch as it cleans parasites off your fish.
1. Bubble Tip Anemone
The Bubble Tip Anemone is a wonderful addition. It’s gorgeous and the #1 reef safe fish loves to call it home. It’s awesome to watch frisky clownfish dart in and out of it.
10. Cerith Snail
This tiny little guy has a huge appetite for detritus, fish food, fish waste, and algae. A handful of these active scavengers is not only reef safe but a highly recommended member of a clean-up crew.
9. Turbo Snail
This large snail is a super algae grazer. It also earns it’s name as a turbo. They really do get around the tank in a hurry for a snail. A really great clean-up crew member.
8. Blue Leg Hermit Crab
Another great clean-up crew member. This crab is an active member of your aquarium. Interesting to watch wander your rock work.
7. Emerald Crab
When it comes to clean-up crew, the Emerald Crab is my favorite. Loads of personality and an awesome worker.
6. Feather Duster
A relative of the earth worm but much more beautiful. This filter feeder can help add a bit of diversity to any reef tank.
5. Red Gracilaria
A beautiful red algae that can be grown in your display tank. If your herbivores aren’t too voracious it should grow well.
4. Peppermint Shrimp
Shrimp are entertaining additions. The bonus with the Peppermint Shrimp is it is known to eat Aiptasia.
3. Coral Banded Shrimp
This beautiful and entertaining shrimp is not only reef-safe but also known to eat bristle worms.
2. Scarlet Cleaner Shrimp
Another beautiful shrimp. This one being extremely entertaining to watch as it cleans parasites off your fish.
1. Bubble Tip Anemone
The Bubble Tip Anemone is a wonderful addition. It’s gorgeous and the #1 reef safe fish loves to call it home. It’s awesome to watch frisky clownfish dart in and out of it.
In Conclusion
There are a lot of reef safe fish and invertebrates available to stock your aquarium with, however these are the best of the bunch. Be sure and do your research on your choices to know the specific needs of each and compatibility with other fish. Each on this list will have their own specific needs and challenges.
