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Get the FAQs on the RPI Reef Fish Guide here!
How to Use the RPI Reef Fish Guide
The following two lists will help steer you towards responsible choices in selecting aquarium fish. There are hundreds more reef fish – both good and bad choices – than what are listed in this guide. Please check the RPI website or ask a trusted retailer for fish you may see that are not listed here.

Each “Keep it Wild” fish is labeled with one or more of the icons described below, explaining the reasons to avoid that species. Click on a fish photo below to find out more about that species.

Captive-bred fish available, better choice Captive-bred fish available; better choice   Unsuitable for captivity Unsuitable for captivity   Collection methods are harmful to reefs Collection methods are harmful to reefs
  Population is declining Population is declining  
               
TAKE IT HOME (RECOMMENDED) KEEP IT WILD
These fish are some of the best reef-friendly choices for the home aquarium. Each fish is labeled with one or more of the icons described below, explaining the reasons to avoid that species.
These fish should be avoided.
         
fish Assessors/ Comets
Family Plesiopidae
Captive-bred fish available, better choice Click this button to learn more about this fish
 
fish Hawkfishes
Family Cirrhitidae
Click this button to learn more about this fish
 
fish Ribbon eel
(blue, black, or yellow)
Rhinomuraena quaesita
Unsuitable for captivityCollection methods are harmful for reefs Click this button to learn more about this fish
fish Cardinalfishes
Family Apogonidae
Captive-bred fish available, better choice Click this button to learn more about this fish
 
fish Humbug damselfishes
Dascyllus spp.
Click this button to learn more about this fish
 
fish Banggai cardinalfish
(wild-collected)
Pterapogon kauderni
Unsuitable for captivityCollection methods are harmful for reefsPopulation is decliningCaptive-bred fish available, better choice Click this button to learn more about this fish
fish Cherub angel
Centropyge argi
Click this button to learn more about this fish
 
fish Lawnmower blenny
Salarias fasciatus
Click this button to learn more about this fish
 
fish Cleaner wrasses
(wild-collected)
Labroides spp.
Unsuitable for captivityCollection methods are harmful for reefsPopulation is declining Click this button to learn more about this fish
fish Chrysiptera damselfishes
Chrysiptera spp.
Click this button to learn more about this fish
 
fish Neon/Cleaner gobies
Elacatinus and Gobisoma spp.
Captive-bred fish available, better choice Click this button to learn more about this fish
 
fish Mandarinfishes
Pterosynchiropus or Synchiropus spp.
Unsuitable for captivityCollection methods are harmful for reefs Click this button to learn more about this fish
fishCaptive-bred fish available, better choice
 Clownfishes (only captive-bred)
Amphiprion and Premnas spp.
Click this button to learn more about this fish
 
fish Rabbitfishes
Siganus spp.
Click this button to learn more about this fish
 
fish Moorish idol
Zanclus cornutus
Unsuitable for captivity Click this button to learn more about this fish
fish Combtooth blennies
Ecsenius spp.
Click this button to learn more about this fish
 
fish Sailfin tang
Zebrasoma veliferum
Click this button to learn more about this fish
 
fish Orangespotted filefish
Oxymonacanthus longirostris
Unsuitable for captivity Click this button to learn more about this fish
fish Dottybacks
Pseudochromis spp.
Captive-bred fish available, better choice Click this button to learn more about this fish
 
fish Scopas tang
Zebrasoma scopas
Click this button to learn more about this fish
 
fish Panther grouper
Cromileptes altivelis
Collection methods are harmful for reefsPopulation is declining Click this button to learn more about this fish
fish Dwarf seabasses
Serranus spp.
Click this button to learn more about this fish
 
fish Snowflake moray eel
Echidna nebulosa
Click this button to learn more about this fish
 
fish Angefishes
(large)
Pomacanthus and Holacanthus spp.
Unsuitable for captivityCollection methods are harmful for reefs Click this button to learn more about this fish
fish Chromis damselfishes
Chromis spp.
Click this button to learn more about this fish
 
fish Lined wrasses
Pseudocheilinus spp.
Click this button to learn more about this fish
 
fish Butterflyfishes
(corallivorous)
Family Chaetodontidae
Unsuitable for captivityPopulation is declining Click this button to learn more about this fish
fishCaptive-bred fish available, better choice
 Fangblennies
(only captive-bred)
Meiacanthus spp.
Click this button to learn more about this fish
 
 
fish Tamarin wrasses
Anampses spp.
Unsuitable for captivity Click this button to learn more about this fish

 

 

 

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