Is keeping marine fish difficult?

While more water quality management is needed compared to freshwater, starting with hardy species like clownfish or blue-green chromis makes it very manageable for beginners. Stable salinity and temperature are key.

How much do marine fish cost?

Clownfish range from 2,000-5,000 yen, blue tangs from 5,000-15,000 yen, and popular angelfish from 5,000-50,000+ yen depending on species and size.

How long do marine fish live?

Small fish live 5-10 years, while medium species like angelfish can live 10-20+ years. Proper environment and nutrition enable long-term care.

What should I check when buying marine fish?

Check for white spots or injuries on the body, intact fins, and that the fish is eating well. Choosing quarantined specimens gives extra peace of mind.

What equipment is needed for marine fish?

Basic equipment includes a tank, salt mix, refractometer, canister filter or overflow system, heater, and protein skimmer. Starting with a 60cm+ tank is recommended.

Marine Fish Encyclopedia — 80 Species Directory

Encyclopedia of popular marine fish species with care guides, traits, and water parameters.

Featured Marine Fish

Harlequin Tuskfish

All Beginner Intermediate Advanced

Small Hardy Beautiful Yellow Algae eater Reef-safe Reef safe Schooling Peaceful Purple Cleaner Large Tang Marine fish Mouthbrooder

Showing 12 of 80 species

Blue Spotted Jawfish

Opistognathus rosenblatti

Advanced

Stunningly beautiful jawfish with orange body dotted in blue spots. Charming behavior — digs burrows and pokes out head. Fascinating mouthbrooding reproduction.

AdvancedBeautifulBurrower

Clown Triggerfish

Clown triggerfish

Advanced

Large triggerfish with white polka dots and yellow mouth. Very aggressive toward other fish. Popular as a personality fish.

LargeAggressivePersonality fish

Copperband Butterflyfish

Copperband butterflyfish

Advanced

A butterflyfish with orange stripes and elongated snout. Also valued for controlling Aiptasia anemones.

CopperbandButterflyfishAiptasia control

Emperor Angelfish

Emperor angelfish

Advanced

Large angelfish with dramatically different juvenile and adult patterns. Blue and yellow stripes are stunning. Requires large tank.

Large angelfishPattern changeAdvanced

Leopard Wrasse

Macropharyngodon meleagris

Advanced

A wrasse with beautiful leopard pattern. Delicate fish with habit of sleeping buried in sand.

LeopardLeopard patternSand burying

Mandarin Dragonet

Synchiropus splendidus

Advanced

Often called the most beautiful marine fish with psychedelic maze-like patterns. Feeds on copepods, making it challenging to keep.

AdvancedPsychedelic colorsCopepod feeder

Moorish Idol

Zanclus cornutus

Advanced

Elegant marine fish with vivid white, black, and yellow stripes and elongated dorsal fin. Stunningly beautiful but extremely difficult to keep. Feeding is challenging even for experts.

AdvancedBeautifulDifficult

Pipefish

Advanced

A relative of seahorses with an elongated body. Distinctive swimming style and delicate form are attractive.

PipefishSeahorse relativeElongated

Powder Blue Tang

Acanthurus leucosternon

Advanced

Beautiful pale blue body with black face and yellow dorsal. Indian Ocean tang. Prone to ich — water quality is critical.

BeautifulIch-proneAdvanced

Purple Tang

Zebrasoma xanthurum

Advanced

A premium surgeonfish with beautiful deep purple coloration. Endemic to Red Sea with high rarity.

Purple TangPurpleRed Sea

Seahorse

Advanced

Mysterious upright posture and unique body. Males brood young in pouch — rare reproductive strategy. Requires dedicated tank.

MysteriousMale broods youngDedicated tank

Spotted Mandarin

Synchiropus picturatus

Advanced

Small goby with psychedelic green body covered in orange spots with black borders. Prefers live copepods, so mature live rock tanks are ideal.

AdvancedPsychedelicSmall

Browse Marine Fish Listings

Marine Fish FAQ

Is keeping marine fish difficult?: While more water quality management is needed compared to freshwater, starting with hardy species like clownfish or blue-green chromis makes it very manageable for beginners. Stable salinity and temperature are key.
How much do marine fish cost?: Clownfish range from 2,000-5,000 yen, blue tangs from 5,000-15,000 yen, and popular angelfish from 5,000-50,000+ yen depending on species and size.
How long do marine fish live?: Small fish live 5-10 years, while medium species like angelfish can live 10-20+ years. Proper environment and nutrition enable long-term care.
What should I check when buying marine fish?: Check for white spots or injuries on the body, intact fins, and that the fish is eating well. Choosing quarantined specimens gives extra peace of mind.
What equipment is needed for marine fish?: Basic equipment includes a tank, salt mix, refractometer, canister filter or overflow system, heater, and protein skimmer. Starting with a 60cm+ tank is recommended.