20 Best Nano Saltwater Fish For Your Nano Tank
Nano saltwater tanks are miniature aquariums that allow you to observe ocean life from the comfort of your home. These tanks are perfect for individuals who are looking for an inexpensive and small version of a saltwater tank.
Moreover, a small saltwater tank is an ideal option for beginner aquarists as this type of aquarium requires a minimal level of maintenance and care.
If you are setting up a nano saltwater fish-only aquarium or looking for colorful fish, then continue reading this blog and learn more about the best nano saltwater fish.
What is Nano Fish and a Nano Tank?
In the world of saltwater aquariums, there is a certain tank size that is 5–10 gallons or smaller, which is known as a nano tank. These particular tanks have small inhabitants; they are usually smaller than 2–3 inches in total length.
If you are about to set up the nano tank, then you can add nano fish to it — they are small in size and live happily in the small space without any stress.
Moreover, the nano tank decoration is super fun when you use plants and live rocks and add a few colorful nano fish to enhance the vibrancy.
The benefits of having nano saltwater fish are:
- Vibrant in appearance
- Fun to watch
- Don’t grow larger than about an inch
- Temperament is gentle and peaceful
- Easiest pet fish to care for in general
20 Nano Saltwater Aquarium Fish
Here is the list of the 20 best nano fish saltwater tanks:
- Gumdrop Coral Croucher — Caracanthus madagascariensis
- ClownFish — Ocellaris
- Royal Gramma — Gramma Loreto
- Coral Beauty Angelfish — Centropyge bispinosa
- Blue-Green Chromis — Chromis viridis
- Skunk Clown — Amphiprion perideraion
- Six Line Wrasse — Pseudocheilinus hexataenia
- Blue Spotted Jawfish — Opistognathus rosenblatti
- Pygmy Hawkfish — Polihierax semitorquatus
- Pistol Shrimp — Alpheidae
- Tailspot Blenny — Ecsenius stigmatura
- Orchid Dottyback — Pseudochromis fridmani
- Midas Blenny — Ecsenius midas
- Purple Firefish — Nemateleotris decora
- Pink Skunk Clownfish — Amphiprion perideraion
- Dwarf Seahorse — Hippocampus zosterae
- Banggai Cardinalfish — Pterapogon kauderni
- Twin Spot Goby — Signigobius biocellatus
- Flametail Blenny Fish — Enchelyurus flavipe
- Falco Hawkfish — Cirrhitichthys falco
With this blog, you will get the complete guide to these nano saltwater aquarium fish, including the water parameters, aquarium decor, equipment requirements, and feeding tips.
Let’s deep dive into the details of each saltwater fish for nano tanks — one by one.
1. Gumdrop Coral Croucher — Caracanthus Madagascariensis
Gumdrop Coral Croucher is a unique and adorable fish with some distinct looks. It has a striking full white body with red spots on it. It's unique appearance and entertaining behavior is quite visible in home nano tanks.
Tank Setup: Gumdrop Coral Croucher thrives in a saltwater tank of at least 10 gallons. It prefers to have temperatures of 22.3–26 °C. Also, ensure that the pH level is around 8.1–8.4.
Must-Have Equipment: This fish prefers to stay in lonely sections of an aquarium; that’s why every saltwater nano fish tank must have crevices or caves with reefs.
Decor Ideas: You can use live rock, rubble, and preferably branching corals or similar decorations to enhance the beauty of the fish tank.
Proper Feeding Habits: Gumdrop Coral Croucher is a carnivore; the feed is on brine shrimp, live shrimp, live artemia, frozen Mysis or other frozen foods.
Maintenance & Testing Guide: Gumdrop Coral Croucher is an easy-to-care fish pet. It requires a daily change in water and, on a weekly basis, an inspection of temperature and pH levels. Feed them on a daily basis and keep the tank covered.
2. ClownFish — Ocellaris
Clownfish is one of the popular beginner nano saltwater fish because of ‘Finding Nemo’ and ‘Finding Dory’. This fish is available in orange color with three white bands on the head and body, and the white bands are outlined in black.
Get Nemo today for your nano saltwater tank!
Tank Setup: Clownfish requires a minimum 29-gallon tank with a temperature of 23–27 °C. This fish needs stable water quality, which includes pH, ammonia, nitrate, and nitrite.
Must-Have Equipment: Caves, coral, rocks and crevices, while setting up a nano tank.
Decor Ideas: You can decorate the nano reef tank with live rock to provide places for hiding and plenty of room for movement.
Proper Feeding Habits: Omnivorous Clownfish feed on undigested food, such as small invertebrates and algae.
Maintenance & Testing Guide: Clownfish live long up to 20 years with the proper maintenance and care. However, the care level is easy, and ideal to have a Nemo your home tank.
3. Royal Gramma — Gramma Loreto
Royal Gramma is a beautiful saltwater fish that was previously only found in deep Caribbean waters, but today aquarists are raising them in nano tanks. Royal Gramma makes the nano saltwater tanks colorful and appealing.
Tank Setup: Royal Gramma needs a 20–30 gallon tank to swim around. This fish prefers water temperatures of 22.2–25 °C, and the pH level should be maintained up to 8.1–8.4.
Must-Have Equipment: Because of their peaceful temperament, they adapt more to saltwater tanks. Though, the tank should be filled with corals, clams, and other invertebrates alone.
Decor Ideas: For the decorations, use rockwork caves in the reef tank, as they belong to the Grammidae family and prefer caves to hide.
Proper Feeding Habits: Royal Gramma diet is based on meaty foods such as brine shrimp, Mysis shrimp, blackworms, or chopped seafood.
Maintenance & Testing Guide: For the best care, keep the Royal Gramma Basslet in an ideal condition; it helps the fish to grow and survive for 5–6 years.
4. Coral Beauty Angelfish — Centropyge Bispinosa
Coral Beauty Angelfish is a very popular saltwater fish among hobbyist aquarists because of their beautiful colors and hardiness. This fish typically has red, orange, or yellow bodies with darker blue or purple edges, fins, and tails.
Tank Setup: Coral Beauty Angelfish are tiny in size, but they still need plenty of swimming space, so prepare a tank size of about 70 gallons or larger. The tank water temperature should be 22–27 °C.
Must-Have Equipment: These fishes are mostly found on rocky reefs or in regions rich with corals, that’s why do add them to your reef tank. Also, it is ideal to have other similar-sized species with them.
Decor Ideas: For Coral Beauty Angelfish, set up your nano reef tank with live rock to provide places for hiding and plenty of room for movement.
Proper Feeding Habits: Omnivorous Coral Beauty Angelfish feed them on algae and spirulina, which include occasional meaty foods such as brine shrimp and Mysis shrimp.
Maintenance & Testing Guide: Coral Beauty Angelfish live long up to 10–15 years with the proper maintenance and care. Their care level is easy, and they are super fun to have this fish in your home tank.
5. Blue-Green Chromis — Chromis Viridis
Blue-Green Chromis (Chromis Viridis) is easy to care for, and this beautiful fish is peaceful in nature. The coloration of green, blue, and white fish can add a lot to the aesthetic of your nano reef tank just because of their lovely appearance.
Tank Setup: Blue-Green Chromis requires a minimum 30-gallon nano reef tank with a balanced water temperature of 25–27 °C. This fish needs stable water quality, which includes a pH level of 8.1–8.3.
Must-Have Equipment: This species of saltwater fish won’t damage coral, unlike some others. Caves, coral, rocks, and crevices while setting up a nano tank.
Decor Ideas: You can decorate the nano reef tank with live rock to provide places for hiding and plenty of room for movement.
Proper Feeding Habits: Omnivorous Blue-Green Chromis feed on undigested food, such as small invertebrates and algae.
Maintenance & Testing Guide: It is considered one of the easiest saltwater fish to take care of. As the Blue-Green Chromis care level is easy, and it can survive up to 8–12 years.
6. Skunk Clown — Amphiprion Perideraion
Skunk Clown has a pale orange body with a white mid-dorsal stripe. It is a great fish to keep if you’re looking for a peaceful, social fish. It is also very hardy and a good choice for beginners. If you add Skunk Clownfish, it increases the charmness of your home nano tank.
Tank Setup: Skunk Clown requires a 20-gallon tank with a water temperature of 74–80 °C. This fish needs stable water quality, and it should have a pH level of 8.1–8.4.
Must-Have Equipment: While preparing a nano tank, you need to add plenty of rocks to create caves.
Decor Ideas: You can decorate the nano reef tank with live rock to provide places for hiding and plenty of room for movement.
Proper Feeding Habits: It is an omnivorous fish, and its diet should consist of a variety of meaty food items such as chopped shrimp and frozen herbivores.
Maintenance & Testing Guide: Skunk Clowns live long up to 20 years if you provide proper conditions to thrive. It is as easy to care for and even requires less maintenance.
7. Six Line Wrasse — Pseudocheilinus Hexataenia
Six-line wrasses is one of the popular fish among aquarists because of its beautiful coloring. It has a vivid blue or pink body with bold red horizontal stripes. It is a tough, active, and valuable fish for nano reef aquariums — get the one today!
Tank Setup: Six Line Wrasse requires a 55-gallon water tank and the temperature should be 24–28 °C. This fish prefers a pH level between 8.0–8.4.
Must-Have Equipment: They thrive more in a native habitat that’s why add a lot of reefs, corals, and rocks.
Decor Ideas: Live rock can be used to decorate the saltwater tank to give the fish hiding spots and lots of space to move around.
Proper Feeding Habits: Six Line Wrasses are a carnivorous species of fish. Feed them with pellets or flakes, and additional meat supplements — likely of the frozen variety.
Maintenance & Testing Guide: This species is incredibly hardy, which means it can survive in a wide variety of tank conditions. Six Line Wrasse lives up to 10 years with the proper maintenance and care.
8. Blue Spotted Jawfish — Opistognathus Rosenblatti
The Blue Spotted Jawfish adds a wonderful coloration to your nano tank and its unique coloration and burrowing behavior — make it appealing to aquarists. This nano saltwater tank fish is ideal for beginners because it is 100% reef-safe.
Tank Setup: Blue Spotted Jawfish thrives in a stable water quality, which includes a water tank size: of 30 gallons, water temperature: of 22.2–25 °C, and pH level of 8.1–8.4.
Must-Have Equipment: Add larger chunks of rock, crushed coral, or anything you can use to prop the burrow up.
Decor Ideas: You can decorate the saltwater tank with live rock to provide places for hiding and plenty of room for movement. It’s also important to keep them in a closed tank.
Proper Feeding Habits: Blue Spotted Jawfish are Carnivores and should feed on marine fish, crustacean flesh, and mysid shrimp.
Maintenance & Testing Guide: The maintenance and care level of Blue Spotted Jawfish is moderate. As their temperament is semi-aggressive, ensure to maintain the proper aquarium.
9. Pygmy Hawkfish — Polihierax Semitorquatus
Pygmy Hawkfish is one of the most visually unique hawkfish species available to home aquarists. The coloration of this fish has a bright red coat broken up into beautiful geometric shapes by bands. It has pleasing colors, fun personalities, and unique appearances.
Tank Setup: Pygmy Hawkfish requires up to a 29–40 gallon tank with a water temperature of 22.2–25 °C. Ensure that the pH level is set up to 8.2–8.4.
Must-Have Equipment: Make sure to have plenty of rich coral and clear water.
Decor Ideas: You can decorate reef tanks with plenty of live rock and thick sandy substrate.
Proper Feeding Habits: It is a Carnivore fish and feeds on zooplankton, Mysis, and brine shrimp.
Maintenance & Testing Guide: Pygmy Hawkfish live anywhere from 5–7 years, but only with proper maintenance and a high-quality diet. The care level of this fish is pretty easy.
10. Pistol Shrimp — Alpheidae
The Pistol Shrimp is another beginner nano saltwater fish because of their impressive, unique, and desirable temperament. A Pistol Shrimp’s body is light brown with a rusty-colored broken stripe across the back. Get it today to add a unique coloration to your home nano reef tank.
Tank Setup: Pistol Shrimp requires a 30-gallon water tank, and the temperature should be 24–28 °C. Also, the tank water should have a maintained pH level of 8.1–8.4.
Must-Have Equipment: Caves, coral, rocks, and crevices, while setting up a nano tank.
Decor Ideas: You can decorate the nano reef tank with live rock to provide places for hiding and plenty of room for movement.
Proper Feeding Habits: Pistol Shrimp — feed them on mostly carnivorous and omnivorous diets.
Maintenance & Testing Guide: The care level of Pistol Shrimp is easy and suitable for beginner aquarists. It requires quality water, diet, and proper maintenance of the reef tank.
11. Tailspot Blenny — Ecsenius Stigmatura
Another colorful nano fish is Tailspot Blenny. It is one of the smallest in size and can be kept in nano tanks of 10-gallons. It is exceptionally unique in color and hardy, and it makes them a perfect community fish for beginner aquarists.
Tank Setup: Tailspot Blenny thrives in a stable water quality, which includes a water tank size: of 10–15 gallons, water temperature: of 22.2–25 °C, and pH level of 8.1–8.4.
Must-Have Equipment: While putting together a nano tank, must-have caves, coral, rocks, and crevices.
Decor Ideas: Tailspot blennies, like many other reef species, will appreciate an aquarium with plenty of live rock and other décors.
Proper Feeding Habits: Vegetable matter, including frozen and dried foods containing marine and blue-green algae, should be included in the Tailspot Blenny’s diet.
Maintenance & Testing Guide: The tailspot blenny is a low-maintenance fish with a fierce personality. They don’t need any special marine care, just clean water, and a healthy diet.
12. Orchid Dottyback — Pseudochromis Fridmani
Orchid Dottybacks are very popular aquarium pets because of the splash of color and activity they add to the environment. They camouflage themselves in order to capture prey, but they still manage to look cute while doing it.
Tank Setup: Orchid Dottyback requires a 30-gallon tank with a temperature of 22.2–25 °C. It only requires sturdy water quality with a pH level of 8.1–8.4. .
Must-Have Equipment: Rocks, Caves, and Corals — and ensure to have a perfect filter in your tank.
Decor Ideas: Tank decor includes colorful live rock and sand — it provides a pleasant space for hiding and plenty of room for movement.
Proper Feeding Habits: This fish loves meaty food items such as Mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, krill, and other frozen meaty aquarium foods.
Maintenance & Testing Guide: Daily care of Orchid Dottybacks is easy and suitable for new aquarists. This fish just needs a healthy diet and a well-maintained saltwater aquarium.
13. Midas Blenny — Ecsenius Midas
Midas Blenny is a great addition to your marine saltwater aquarium. It has a beautiful rare combo of orange and yellow colors that excites marine hobbyists. Their swimming motion resembles eels and looks attractive while moving around.
Tank Setup: This fish will appreciate a minimum tank of 30 gallons and a temperature of 22.8–28.8 °C. However, the pH level of the water should be around 8.1- 8.4.
Must-Have Equipment: Rocks, Caves, and Corals to provide places for hiding and plenty of room for movement. Also, get the filter for the water tank.
Decor Ideas: Decor your saltwater aquarium with colorful rocks, plants, and thick sand.
Proper Feeding Habits: Their diet includes finely chopped crustacean flesh, Mysis, and vitamin-enriched brine shrimp, along with frozen herbivorous foods and micro blue-green algae.
Maintenance & Testing Guide: Midas Blennies are easy to care for and they do not require special sea care — just clean water and a healthy diet.
14. Purple Firefish — Nemateleotris Decora
Another favorite nano fish is Purple Firefish — it is a fabulously colorful and beautiful addition to any tank. This fish is hardy and beginner-friendly, so those new to the marine fish-keeping hobby can confidently buy one of these beauties.
Tank Setup: This fish requires a minimum 10-gallon tank with a temperature of 22.2–26 °C. It’s better if you manage the pH level — that is, 8.1–8.4.
Must-Have Equipment: Purple Firefish need clean water to thrive, so it’s important to add an efficient filtration system to your saltwater aquarium.
Decor Ideas: Some recommended decorations for Purple Firefish tanks include: caves and rocks, making sure that it’s a natural-looking environment for your fish.
Proper Feeding Habits: Carnivorous — and they feed on smaller fish, squid, and crustaceans.
Maintenance & Testing Guide: Purple Firefish looks cool in your home tank, and it requires relatively low-maintenance care requirements. That’s why their care level is easy.
15. Pink Skunk Clownfish — Amphiprion Perideraion
Pink Skunk Clownfish looks very similar to the Skunk Clown, as they both belong to the same family ‘Pomacentridae’. It has a light pink color body with a white stripe running from the snout to the tail. And it’s a cute and attractive option for all level-aquarists.
Tank Setup: Pink Skunk Clownfish requires a 20-gallon water tank, a water temperature of 23.3 to 27.8 °C, and a pH level is 7.8–8.4.
Must-Have Equipment: Caves, coral, rocks, and crevices.
Decor Ideas: Decor this saltwater tank with live rock to hide in and forage from, with plenty of algae attached.
Proper Feeding Habits: Omnivore — Diet consists of phytoplankton (including blue-green algae and diatoms), zooplankton, and zoobenthos.
Maintenance & Testing Guide: Pink Skunk Clownfish live for 5–7 years, but only with proper maintenance and a high-quality diet. The care level of this fish is moderately easy.
16. Dwarf Seahorse — Hippocampus Zosterae
Dwarf Seahorse is the smallest of the four seahorse species, and it’s an inch tall. It has a variety of color forms, which range from tan-pink to green to almost black. It is reported that Dwarf Seahorse is the slowest-moving fish, with a speed of 1.5 m per hour.
Tank Setup: This fish will appreciate a minimum 5-gallon aquarium and a temperature of 20–28 °C. However, the pH level of the water should range from 8–8.5.
Must-Have Equipment: For Dwarf Seahorses need some specialized equipment like air-powered sponge filter and sump filter.
Decor Ideas: You can decorate the aquarium with rocks, sand, and plants.
Proper Feeding Habits: Feed them on living prey, which includes small crustaceans like amphipods, small shrimps, other small invertebrates, and fish fry.
Maintenance & Testing Guide: Dwarf Seahorses have unique care and are surprisingly easy to keep if you provide the right kind of tank system.
17. Banggai Cardinalfish — Pterapogon Kauderni
Banggai cardinalfish is one of the most popular fish among saltwater aquarium hobbyists, and they are hardy, peaceful towards other species, and bold. They are full of striking colors — bright silver flecks and several bold, black, vertical stripes adorn their gray body.
Tank Setup: Banggai Cardinalfish requires a 20–30 gallon tank with a temperature of 25.6–27.7 °C. This fish needs a stable water quality — and pH level ranging from 7.8–8.2.
Must-Have Equipment: For the saltwater tank, it is important to provide a spacious reef setting with plenty of shady overhangs, nooks, and crannies.
Decor Ideas: You can decorate the saltwater aquarium with rocks, sand, and plants.
Proper Feeding Habits: They mainly feed on copepods but will also eat plankton organisms if they are abundant in the area.
Maintenance & Testing Guide: Banggai Cardinalfish lifespan is for 5 years with the proper maintenance and care. Also, the care level is easy and considered as one of the best fish for nano tank saltwater.
18. Twin Spot Goby — Signigobius Biocellatus
Twin Spot Goby has a torpedo-like body shape, bulbous eyes, a comically frowning mouth and two prominent dorsal fins. In coloration, it’s grayish overall with orange-brown mottling. It is an appealing little sand sifter with fascinating behavior that, unfortunately, often adapts very poorly to aquarium life.
Tank Setup: It should reside in a 10-gallon or greater aquarium. Also, ensure that the water temperature should be 22.2–25 °C, and the pH level should be ranging from 8.1–8.4.
Must-Have Equipment: Lighting, filtration equipment, live rock & substrate, heater & smart thermometer, and air pump & air stones.
Decor Ideas: Use decorative rocks, gravel, aquarium plants, and tank dividers.
Proper Feeding Habits: Twin Spot Gobies feed on a variety of foods, including live or vitamin-rich frozen brine shrimp, Mysis shrimp, live blackworms, and ready-made carnivores.
Maintenance & Testing Guide: The care level of Twin Spot Goby is intermediated.
19. Flametail Blenny Fish — Enchelyurus Flavipe
One of the most beautiful species of blenny available to aquarists. The Flametail Blenny is a peaceful fish that should be kept in a tank with other peaceful fish. It may, however, be aggressive toward firefish gobies and other smaller blennies.
Tank Setup: Flametail Blenny Fish thrives in a stable water quality, which includes a water tank size: of 30-gallon, water temperature: of 23.8–26.6 °C, and pH level of 8.1–8.4.
Must-Have Equipment: Lights, filtration devices, live rocks and substrates, heaters and smart thermometers, air pumps and air stones.
Decor Ideas: Use decorative rocks, gravel, ornamental plants, and tank dividers.
Proper Feeding Habits: Herbivore — provides a varied diet of meaty foods and vegetable-based foods.
Maintenance & Testing Guide: Flametail Blenny Fish live for 2–4 years, but only with proper maintenance and a high-quality diet. The care level of this fish is easy.
20. Falco Hawkfish — Cirrhitichthys Falco
In a nano saltwater tank, Falco Hawkfish are hardy, easier to feed, and more entertaining to watch. This fish has a white body with red-brown spots and small tufts of bright yellow on the tips of its dorsal fin ray called cirri.
Tank Setup: Falco Hawkfish will thrive in an aquarium of 30-gallon with a temperature of 22.2–25 °C. And the pH level should range from 8.1–8.4.
Must-Have Equipment: Caves, coral, rocks, and crevices, while preparing your nano tank.
Decor Ideas: Must add rocky or coral substrates; it provides a special natural feel to Falco Hawkfish.
Proper Feeding Habits: These fish feed on a variety of marine meats, frozen preparations, and live feeder shrimp.
Maintenance & Testing Guide: This fish is relatively easy to care for as long as you do not overstock the tank with small prey fish or larger predators.
Final Thoughts
If you want to set up a nano reef tank, we have compiled a list of the top 20 best nano fish, from which you can choose one for your home tank. Also add the right combination of fish, corals, and invertebrates — because these nano reef tanks are very special aquariums.
We’d like to know which fish you liked the best and would put in your nano reef tanks.
Happy fish-keeping!
