Best Saltwater Fish for a 55 Gallon Tank

Many aquarists consider a 55 gallon tank to be one of the best size options available for a fish tank. 55 gallon tanks provide hobbyists with a plethora of affordable filtration options and equipment, without the sticker shock that is associated with equipment for aquariums greater than 55 gallons.

In the saltwater aquarium hobby, aquarists are familiar with some of the livestock restrictions encountered when making stocking decisions. Certain gobies and clownfish may do well in aquariums in the 10-20 gallon range, but other species such as the Copperband Butterflyfish require an aquarium of at least 75 gallons.

In this post, we’ll review our top 10 saltwater fish for a 55 gallon tank.

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The Pink Skunk Anemonefish

The Pink Skunk Anemonefish is known for its distinguished vertical white stripe that exists just behind the fish’s eye. First discovered in 1855, this species shares many similarities with other types of anemonefish and will form a symbiotic relationship with sea anemones. Learn more about this species.

This species is one of our favorites on Light Fish, and if you're interested in learning more, be sure to check out our care guide.

Price: $24-$50
Size: Reaches up to 4”
Diet: Omnivore
Minimum Tank Size: 30 Gallons
Reef Safe: Yes

Flame Hawkfish

This unique species has an incredibly striking coloration, with a deep-red body and orange/peach-colored dorsal fins. These fish are very hardy and can tolerate subtle changes in water parameters, making them an excellent choice for beginners new to reef keeping. The Flame Hawkfish does tend to dwell near the bottom of an aquarium, so if you have existing bottom-dwelling fish, such as Gobies, you may want to consider a different species for your 55 gallon tank.

Price: $40-80
Size: Reaches up to 4”
Diet: Carnivore
Minimum Tank Size: 30 Gallons
Reef Safe: Use Caution

Blue Chromis

One of the most popular saltwater fish is the Blue Chromis, and it’s no surprise as to why. This shoaling fish is easy to care for and is known for its peaceful personality. Reaching up to 5 inches in length, this species would live quite comfortably in a 55 gallon tank, where they tend to swim in the upper portion of the aquarium. If you’re considering damselfish, the Blue Chromis is a great choice.

Price: $30-60
Size: Reaches up to 5”
Diet: Carnivore
Minimum Tank Size: 30 Gallons
Reef Safe: Yes

Engineer Goby

We would be remiss if we didn’t mention a large fish for a 55 gallon tank. Having a tank in the 55 gallon+ range opens up a lot of doors to unique aquarium species, and one of those is the Engineer Goby. These fish are known to burrow and rearrange aquariums, earning them the “Engineer” title. These fish grow to be about 13” in length, so it comes as no surprise that they require a tank of at least 55 gallons.

Price: $10-30
Size: Reaches up to 13”
Diet: Carnivore
Minimum Tank Size: 55 Gallons
Reef Safe: Yes

Pink-Streaked Wrasse

Wrasse fish have some of the most distinct colors in the hobby, and the Pink-Streaked Wrasse is no different. Capable of living in nano-aquariums, the Pink-Streaked wrasse is an aquarium centerpiece fish. Considered by some to be one of the most peaceful fish, this fish may behave shy initially, but over time, they will adjust and confidently swim throughout the aquarium.

Price: $50
Size: Reaches up to 2.5”
Diet: Carnivore
Minimum Tank Size: 15 Gallons
Reef Safe: Yes

Royal Gramma

The two-tone color appearance of the Royal Gramma has been an aquarium staple for decades, even making appearances in popular movies such as Finding Nemo and Finding Dory. Royal Gramma, native to the western Atlantic Ocean, are known by aquarists for their territorial personalities and jumping tendencies. Hobbyists will appreciate their unique ability to occasionally be seen swimming upside down.

Price: $40-60
Size: Reaches up to 3”
Diet: Carnivore
Minimum Tank Size: 30 Gallons
Reef Safe: Yes

Bicolor Angelfish

Some of the most expensive fish in the saltwater aquarium hobby are Angelfish. Rare and highly soft after Angelfish can fetch price tags ranging from $10,000 to $40,000 per fish. Most of these fish require massive aquariums in the 150-300gallon range. However, the Bicolor Angelfish can do well in a 55 gallon aquarium that has plenty of hiding spots and live rock. These fish will occasionally nip at corals, so they may not be the best choice for an aquarium with coral.

Price: $50-$100
Size: Reaches up to 6”
Diet: Omnivore
Minimum Tank Size: 55 Gallons
Reef Safe: No

Green Mandarinfish

Psychedelic in appearance, the Green Mandarinfish is typically considered a more difficult fish in the saltwater aquarium hobby, mostly due to their preference for eating copepods. Skilled aquarists must consistently keep copepods alive in order to provide a constant food source for the Mandarinfish. In an aquarium, they tend to avoid bright lights and have hummingbird-like fins.

Price: $30-$50
Size: Reaches up to 3”
Diet: Carnivore
Minimum Tank Size: 30 Gallons
Reef Safe: Yes

Ruby Red Dragonet

These peaceful fish have a life expectancy of up to 6 years and can be kept as a single species or with multiple. Reef safe, these fish are often grazing for food on the bottom of an aquarium tank. Similar to the Mandarinfish, the Ruby Red Dragonet needs a constant supply of copepods. The copepod dependency is significant, as these fish can eat a copepod every 10 seconds or so. Many aquarists will try to transition their diet from copepods to frozen foods to ease the demands of this striking fish.

Price: $60-$90
Size: Reaches up to 3”
Diet: Carnivore
Minimum Tank Size: 30 Gallons
Reef Safe: Yes

Deepwater Candy Basslet

While we could have suggested a more common species such as the Longnose Hawkfish, or the Ocellaris Clownfish for the last spot on this list, instead, let’s pretend that money is not an issue. If you’re looking for a jaw-dropping fish to add to your 55 gallon aquarium, look no further than the rare Deepwater Candy Basslet. This fish comes at a high price, ranging from $800-$1000 dollars, the coloration of this fish is sure to turn heads. This peaceful fish will grow up to 2.5 inches in length and makes an excellent choice when stocking a 55 gallon tank.

Price: $800-$1000
Size: Reaches up to 2.5”
Diet: Carnivore
Minimum Tank Size: 10 Gallons
Reef Safe: Yes

Conclusion

Stocking a 55 gallon tank and choosing some of the best saltwater fish for this size may seem like a daunting task. As aquarium hobbyists, we will always encounter care requirements that exceed what we’re capable of providing. We hope that after evaluating some of our suggestions you’ll be able to enjoy the reward of having a small slice of the ocean in your home for years to come.