Salt water fish species may be difficult to maintain, but the rewards of keeping a successful salt water fish aquarium make all the hard work and effort worthwhile in the long run. Some of the saltwater fish on sale at local stores and online sites are easier to care for than others, though, so when making these purchases it is a good idea to consider the long term requirements. The more difficult fish are often the most beautiful, but if they are unrealistically demanding it might be best to go for something more beginner-friendly.

When looking at saltwater fish on sale it's a good idea to learn a little bit more about the species you are considering. You should be aware of what they will require in order to survive, and what other saltwater aquarium fish and invertebrates they are compatible with. It's also important to learn about the hardiness of the different salt water fish species. A beginner will always want to choose fish that are hardier because they will have a higher likelihood of surviving, and choose fish that are compatible with the other species so they don't harm or kill each other.

Following are some common salt water fish species that are available with descriptions of their temperaments and requirements:

* Damsels - This is one of the best species for a beginner salt water fish tank because they are the hardiest of them all. These are also usually some of the more affordable saltwater fish on sale, but you should only purchase a couple of them because any more might begin to fight.

* Mollies - Although these are freshwater fish they can be acclimatized to live in a salt water fish aquarium. All you have to do to prepare them for an oceanic life is slowly drip in some salt water over a period of six to eight hours, gradually increasing the amount of salt that is in the water to them get familiar with their new environment. These are also fairly inexpensive.

* Angel Fish - Although these exotic salt water fish come in a wide variety of colors, they should initially be avoided for beginner salt water fish tank owners because they are very delicate and find it extremely difficult to acclimate to the new environment. The Bicolor Angel Fish, Black Nox Angel Fish, Blue Fin Angel Fish, Cream Angel Fish and Cortez Angel Fish are wonderful to look at but they are best for experienced aquarium owners.