5 Cool & Unique Saltwater Aquarium Fish to Own

Let me guess…

You’ve always been dreaming about owning a big saltwater tank with cool and unique saltwater fish.

So cool, that when some of your friends visit your home, their jaw will drop.

I know, I have been there.

That’s probably why you are here. Searching for inspiration, and some suggestions.

Or, you are eager to learn new things about these amazing creatures. Either way, you are in the right place.

Today, you will learn what are the coolest saltwater fish you can own.

Perhaps you can add your favorite fish to this list too.

Let’s start.

Coolest Saltwater Aquarium Fish to Own

1. Marine Betta

Betta fish are one of the most popular freshwater fish. But, did you know there is marine betta too?

The Comet fish (Calloplesiops altivelis) also known as the marine betta is a unique and magnificent saltwater aquarium fish native to Indo Pacific Ocean. It’s usually found in waters between 3 and 50 meters deep.

Growing to around 8 inches in length, it requires at least 50 gallons tanks. The Marine Betta is a nocturnal animal and needs a lot of hiding places in the tank.

They will usually hide by day, and search for food at night. A predator by nature, the marine betta will hide among the rocks, waiting for the prey. It’s very interesting to watch them how they attack.

In terms of requirements, the marine betta is hardy and disease-resistant fish. However, they prefer live food, and that can be a problem for many aquarists. Teaching your fish to eat prepared foods can be a daunting job.

Overall, it’s a very unique and interesting saltwater fish to own.

2. Green Mandarin

Another cool saltwater aquarium fish to own is the Green Mandarin Goby.

The Green Mandarin Dragonet (Synchiropus splendidus) also known as the Mandarinfish is a saltwater fish native to the Western Pacific. It’s commonly found in warm waters between 1 to 60 feet deep.

They are undoubtedly one of the most colorful saltwater aquarium fish. These beautiful fish grow up to 4 inches and should be kept in at least 30 gallons tanks.

Despite their massive popularity among saltwater aquarists, the Green Mandarin is a quite difficult fish to take care of. Mainly because they have very specific feeding habits.

In the wild, their primary diet is amphipods and copepods. That’s why they need a well-established aquarium to survive. However, it’s not impossible to train your Mandarinfish to eat prepared foods.

In terms of tankmates, they are generally peaceful fish. However, they can get aggressive towards their kind if there aren’t enough pods in the tank.

In the right conditions, these fish will thrive.

3. Dwarf Seahorse

Are you one of those aquarists that get bored very easily? Do you want a challenge in this amazing hobby?

Well, you can try keeping dwarf seahorses. Seahorses are amazing and fascinating creatures that will keep you busy.

There are a lot of seahorses in the wild, but we will focus here on the dwarf seahorse.

The Dwarf Seahorse (Hippocampus zosterae) is one of the coolest saltwater aquarium fish (yes, a fish) that you can own. Growing to around 2 inches, these little guys should be kept in at least 10 gallons tanks.

In terms of requirements, they are one of the most delicate fish to take care of. They should be kept in species only aquariums. Known as slow eaters, they will have difficulties to compete for food with other tankmates.

The main reason why they are so difficult to keep is their diet. The Dwarf Seahorse requires frequent feeding through the day because of their short digestive tract. If you have a problem of keeping your seahorses alive it’s probably because they’ve starved themselves to death.

Dwarf Seahorses are successfully bred in captivity. Their mating rituals are one of the most amazing sights in the aquarium hobby.

Overall, you can say that these unique creatures are one of a kind.

4. Dragonface Pipefish

Another unique but delicate saltwater aquarium fish to own is the Dragonface Pipefish. It’s commonly referred to as the Reeftop Pipefish, Banded Messmate Pipefish or the Network Pipefish.

Growing to around 7 inches in length, the Dragonface Pipefish should be kept at least 50 gallons tanks. Keeping as mated pair is the best practice if you want your Pipefish to not get harmed.

The Dragonface Pipefish is not recommended for beginners or intermediate reefers. In fact, only the most experienced aquarists can keep these delicate creatures alive. Mainly, because they have unusual feeding habits.

They will thrive in well established and mature aquariums with plenty of rocks and live copepods to feed of.

5. Porcupine Puffer

Looking for a saltwater aquarium fish that is cool, unique and has an interesting personality? And it’s not that difficult to take care of. Well, sort of.

Than the Porcupine Puffer might be the perfect saltwater fish for you.

The Porcupine Puffer (Diodon holocanthus) also known as the Porcupine Pufferfish is an intelligent and personable saltwater fish.

Growing to around 1 foot in length, it should be kept in at least 180 gallons tanks.

Many aquarists claim that keeping Porcupine Puffer is one of the most enjoyable things in the aquarium hobby. They are very personable and interactive saltwater fish.

But don’t let their big and cute eyes fool you. They can be aggressive towards other tankmates. The Porcupine Puffer will certainly eat smaller fish or Invertebrates in your reef tank.

In terms of diet, feed them different types of food, including squid, krill, and clams.

If I can say one thing about this fish…

You’ll never regret having one.

Final thoughts

I think you’ll agree with me when I say these are one of the coolest saltwater aquarium fish you can own.

However, not everyone has the same taste.

What is cool for me, may not be for you.

That’s why I like to know.

What’s the most unique saltwater fish you can own according to you?

Let me know in the comments below.