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 10 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

Coral Beauty Angelfish

Twospined angelfish

Beginner

Beautiful small angelfish with purple and orange gradient. Hardy and easy to keep — popular entry-level angelfish.

Beginner-friendlyAngelfishHardy

Flame Wrasse

Cirrhilabrus jordani

Intermediate

Hawaiian endemic wrasse with vivid red-orange flame-like coloration. Males display even more vivid nuptial colors. Peaceful nature ideal for reef tanks. A deeper water species.

IntermediateBeautifulReef safe

Lionfish

Intermediate

A marine fish with beautiful fan-like fins and stripes. Dorsal spines carry strong venom.

LionfishVenomousFan fins

Lyretail Anthias

Pseudanthias squamipinnis

Intermediate

Schooling saltwater fish with beautiful pink to orange body color. Females are orange, males have vivid coloring with purple lines. Popular intermediate-level species that makes tanks vibrant when schooled.

AnthiasSchoolingPink

Marine Betta

Calloplesiops altivelis

Intermediate

Beautiful fish with white spots on black body like a starry sky, plus false eyespot near tail. Hides in rocks with nocturnal tendencies. Uniquely graceful swimmer.

IntermediateBeautifulNocturnal

McCosker's Flasher Wrasse

Paracheilinus mccoskeri

Intermediate

Beautiful small wrasse with orange body and neon blue lines. Males 'flash' by spreading fins during courtship — hence the name. Reef safe and community-friendly.

IntermediateSmallBeautiful

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

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

Royal Gramma

Royal gramma

Beginner

Beautiful bicolor fish — purple front and yellow rear. Caribbean native. Cave-dweller that peeks from rock crevices.

Beginner-friendlyBeautifulCave-dweller

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.