The TOP 3 fish for your saltwater reef aquarium are...

[Schraufabagel]

Realized I don't have a good picture of my sharknose goby. I voted for Tang too, which I don't have a tank big enough for

 

[sfin52]

Clowns because nothing says sw like clowns do

Foxface because of thier ability to consume a wide array of algeas.

Wrasse because of thier pest control ability. And they have amazing color and movement.

 

[Squidward]

1. Achilles Tang
2. Scribbled Angel
3. Flamehawk pair

 

[A Young Reefer]

1) clownfish : it’s one of the reasons most of us got into the hobby in the first place. A tank without them isn’t a tank , can’t change my mind . If I had to choose a certain morph I would go with the black davinci clownfish .
2) Purple tang : like the patterns and the Color’s on them , can be jerks sometimes .
3) a yellow Corris wrasse : great personality, Color , great at eating certain types of pests .

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

1. Gold Spot Rabbitfish - it's different, you don't see a ton of folks having them in a tank, they do great work with algae like the cousin, the Foxface Lo and under the right light they are a beautiful fish. Also I have one.

2. Long nose Hawkfish - unique coloring, interesting to watch in a tank. Just a cool fish overall.

3. Long Nose Butterfly - Fairly active butterfly fish, good coloring, and acclimates well!

 

[Backreefing]

I know tangs are very much loved , but why is it every time I buy a tang it’s like I just wiped my butt with a $50 bill ? they seem to be preloaded with diseases like Ick ! they just die for no reason even in an aquarium with algae in it . Tangs are too fragile and too expensive . the algae eating they’re supposed to be about I never see it and I always end up in the tank with my hands and a toothbrush doing what they’re supposed to do . Ranting here .

 

[shwareefer]

1. Longnose hawkfish (or any hawkfish) - most character of any fish I've ever had
2 Coral Beauty - because I think they are gorgeous and I am old school.
3 Royal Gramma - same as 2.

 

[Backreefing]

That last post is sure to get some heat .
Of all fish that you don’t even hear of I like damsels they’re so hearty and healthy . they could almost live in a bucket of urine they eat anything . they’re pretty , they’re active swimmers , they have personality , usually a bad personality. Did I mention there cheap! Lots of blues and yellow, black , white and on .

 

[Calm Blue Ocean]

Clownfish. They are just a classic reef fish! They swim like every day is their first day, they bite the hand that feeds them, and I love them for it.

Wrasse. It's a tough call between the Red-Lined Wrasse and Pink Streak but I really am crazy about the Red-Lined Wrasse. She moves through the tank like a precision stealth hunter, decimating the pod population, one pod at a time!

Blenny! It was difficult to decide between blenny and goby for number 3 because I really like gobies! But that Midas Blenny is a character. Hardly saw her for months after adding her to the tank but now she's incredibly active. Really unique swimming style and gets along well with all the other fish.

 

[Justin_Reef]

I'd have to go with a Harlequin Tusk, PJ Cardinal, and Midas Blenny. The 3 favorite fish in my current reef.

 

[Haacheew]

1 Wrasse - I have a Redline
2 Clownfish - a pair of Frostbite
3 Tailspot Blenny

 

[saltyhog]

Wrasses, wrasses and wrasses. ;Smuggrin

Seriously Wrasses, Tangs and Dragonettes. I'm not really a fan of clowns....I know, I'm an outcast.

Favorite fish from these three categories.

Earl's Fairy wrasse, Gold Rim tang and S. splendidus (so many common names). Watch the video to the end for the Gold Rim and Earl's.

 

[MarshallB]

Love my Tangs and wrasses.

Love my Wrasses

Beautiful fish that also put in work. And clowns... well can you really even have a community tank without clowns?

 

[badgus]

Madagascar flasher wrasse- Super vibrant colors, swims a ton and is gorgeous.

Borbonius anthias- beautiful to look at and very peaceful.

bluespot jawfish- tons of personality and keeps your sand clean.

 

[LPS Bum]

Top 3 fish in my tanks huh? Ok, here goes (I only listed what I actually have, not what I want):

In my reef aquarium:

1. Purple tang (my favorite fish)
2. Blue Hippo tang (an aquarium staple)
3. Powder Brown tang (I'm referring to A. Japonicus)

In my FOWLR:

1. French angel (huge and gorgeous)
2. Queen angel (also huge, also gorgeous)
3. Asfur angel, Emperor angel, or Majestic angel. They're all spectacular. It's a toss up.

 

[OG Reef Tanks]

First off, you are killing me with the picture of the Flame Fairy Wrasse. I had a pair but recently had to rehome them do to downsizing my hobby. They were hands down my favorite reef fish for their beauty and cool swimming motion/behavior. My male was always flashing the female and strutting around the tank. My second favorite was my Magnificent Foxface Rabbitfish (my icon pic), which I also had to rehome. My third favorite is the Royal Gramma (I have never had a reef tank without one). I currently have a Royal Gramma that has been with me six years in my new 29 gallon nano reef. I also have to give a shoutout to Starry Blennies. I plan on putting one in my 29 gallon soon.

 

[jiffyjhn]

Gobies!

 

[BigSkyRich]

Let me start by saying that I want specifics here people! For example if you think a surgeonfish is one of the top 3 fish don't tell me you like tangs, you have to pick a specific tang! Ok now that we have that out of the way let's proceed! Fish, fish, fish oh beautiful reef fish! A reef tank isn't a reef tank without beautiful fish swimming around in it. But which ones are a must have? Better yet which are the TOP 3? Let's talk about it!

What are your TOP 3 Reef Aquarium Fish and why is that? Remember to be specific about your choices!

Ok here is my answer:

Clownfish - Because a reef tank isn't a reef tank without them! The way their body moves as they swim is memorizing! They also have beautiful orange, white and black color patterns. And of course the way that they will make a home in anemones and other corals make them amazing in my book!

Yellow Belly Regal Tang - Because what is Nemo without Dory? No really it's because of the striking blue, yellow and black color pattern of this fish. In my experience the regal is mostly friendly and is super hardy as well. They are great algae eaters and you don't have to sacrifice looks for a good hard working fish! Just don't spoil it too much!

Flame Fairy Wrasse - Going to throw out a curve ball here and pick this wrasse as my third favorite fish for a reef tank for one major reason. They are so beautiful and photos do not do this justice! It's a peaceful wrasse and yes they are jumpers but they are stunningly beautiful fish!

So what are your top 3?

image via @PacificIslandAquatics

Must admit I do get mesmorized by my file fish I lovingly call "Stoner"

 

[zirky]

1) white tail bristle tooth tang I had one years ago but it passed. There beautiful stay small (for a tang) and are top cleanup crew. So I’m planning my new build stock list around this fish.
2) princess anthias. cmon nothing says reef like a shoal of anthias and the princess is in my opinion the most beautiful.
3) green manderin pair. I fell in love with these fish 35 years ago and it was love at first sight. Not to mention there matting dance is one of the many miracles of nature that were privileged enough to witness in our living rooms. What a great hobby.
It’s hard to leave out wrasse’s and prawn gobbie’s so I’ll giving them honorable mention

 

[BantyRooster97]

I have mine...
1) Gem Tang 2) Achilles Tang 3) Blue spot jawfish