List of Fish of Taiwan

Taiwan, a vibrant island nation situated in the Pacific, boasts an extraordinary wealth of biodiversity, particularly within its surrounding marine environments. Its unique geographical position, influenced by warm tropical currents and cooler subtropical waters, creates a rich tapestry of aquatic ecosystems that support a fascinating array of species.

Delving into this aquatic richness, you’ll find a comprehensive list of Fish of Taiwan, detailing 35 distinct species. This collection showcases a remarkable range, from the impressive Bigeye tuna, a powerful open-ocean dweller, to the agile Yellowtail amberjack, often found closer to coastal reefs. For each entry, we’ve organized key information, including its Scientific Name, Max Length (cm), and Habitat, all presented clearly for you to explore below.

What contributes to Taiwan’s rich marine fish diversity?

Taiwan’s unique marine fish diversity is primarily a result of its strategic location where the warm Kuroshio Current meets cooler waters, creating a blend of tropical and subtropical conditions. This, combined with a varied coastline featuring coral reefs, rocky shores, and estuaries, provides a multitude of habitats that can support a wide array of fish species, from pelagic predators to reef-dwelling inhabitants.

Where are these fish typically found around Taiwan?

The fish featured can be found across Taiwan’s diverse aquatic environments. Many pelagic species, like the Bigeye tuna, inhabit the deeper, open waters surrounding the island. Coastal species, such as the Yellowtail amberjack, are often found near reefs, rocky outcrops, and in shallower bays. The specific habitat for each fish is detailed in the list, reflecting their preferred environments, from the open ocean to more sheltered coastal areas.

Fish of Taiwan

Images and Descriptions

Skipjack tuna

Fast-swimming pelagic predator common around Taiwan’s waters, prized in fisheries. Forms large schools, migrates seasonally, and is a key species for tuna fisheries and local cuisine such as canned and fresh preparations.

Yellowfin tuna

Powerful open-ocean predator found around Taiwan’s shelf and offshore waters. Known for speed and endurance, important to commercial and sport fisheries, and valued for sashimi and high-quality tuna products.

Bigeye tuna

Deep-diving tuna that frequents warm offshore waters near Taiwan. Noted for large eyes adapted to low light, supports longline fisheries and is important to international tuna markets.

Yellowtail amberjack

A strong, fast predator around reefs and rocky coasts near Taiwan. Popular with anglers and aquaculture, often caught for sashimi and grilled dishes; forms schools and feeds on fish and squid.

Mahi-mahi

Colorful, fast-growing surface fish found in warm waters off Taiwan. Known for brilliant blues and greens, acrobatic fights on the line, and highly valued for fresh, flaky table fare.

Wahoo

Streamlined, high-speed predator of open waters around Taiwan. Sought by sport fishers for spectacular runs and prized for firm, flavorful flesh when freshly prepared.

Japanese Spanish mackerel

Common in Taiwan’s coastal seas, this schooling mackerel is a swift hunter of small fish. Important to coastal fisheries and enjoyed grilled or as sashimi in local cuisine.

Japanese jack mackerel

Small schooling pelagic that frequents Taiwan’s shelf waters. Forms large shoals, serves as forage for larger predators, and supports local commercial fisheries and processing industries.

Giant trevally

Top predator on Taiwan’s reefs and coastal waters, known for powerful strikes and bold behavior. Popular with anglers and ecotourists; hunts fish and crustaceans near structures and drop-offs.

Giant grouper

Massive reef grouper found in southern Taiwanese reefs, a slow-moving ambush predator. Can reach very large sizes and plays an important role in reef food webs; vulnerable to overfishing.

Brown-marbled grouper

A large reef-dwelling grouper common in Taiwan’s coral areas. Noted for mottled coloration, ambush hunting, and importance to local fisheries and reef ecosystem dynamics.

Coral trout

Colorful predatory reef fish found around Taiwan’s southern reefs. A prized food fish, it patrols reef slopes for smaller fish and is a favorite target of recreational and commercial fishers.

Bluestripe snapper

Schooling snapper often seen hovering above reefs near Taiwan. Bright stripes and gregarious behavior make it familiar to divers; important as forage and to small-scale fisheries.

Rabbitfish

Common herbivorous reef and coastal fish around Taiwan. Forms pairs or schools, grazes algae and seagrass, and is culturally and economically important in local fisheries and aquaculture.

Clownfish

Famous symbiont of sea anemones on Taiwan’s reefs. Small, colorful, and popular with divers and aquarists, this species exhibits territorial behavior and mutualism with host anemones.

Moorish idol

Distinctively shaped reef fish seen around Taiwan’s coral slopes. Recognizable by tall dorsal filament and striking bands; a challenging fish to keep in aquaria, often seen by divers.

Lionfish

Invasive Indo-Pacific species present around Taiwan; notable for venomous spines and striking appearance. Ambush predator that can disrupt reef fish communities and is targeted for removal in some areas.

Blue tang

Bright blue surgeonfish frequenting Taiwan’s southern reefs. Active grazer on algae, contributes to reef health; popular and recognizable from global media and reef-diving experiences.

Threadfin butterflyfish

Common butterflyfish on Taiwan reefs, identified by eye-spot and diagonal stripes. Feeds on coral and small invertebrates, often seen singly or in pairs along reef slopes.

Parrotfish

Powerful-beaked herbivore grazing on algae and coral, shaping reef structure through bioerosion. Parrotfish are colorful, common in southern Taiwanese reefs, and important to reef resilience.

Moon wrasse

Vibrant, active wrasse common on Taiwan’s reefs. Feeds on small invertebrates, displays bold colors and rapid movements, and plays a role in controlling reef invertebrate populations.

Cleaner wrasse

Small reef fish that provides cleaning services to larger fish by removing parasites. A familiar sight on cleaning stations around Taiwan’s reefs and an important mutualist in reef communities.

Giant moray

Large reef eel found in crevices around Taiwan’s southern reefs. Nocturnal ambush predator with powerful jaws; a charismatic species often encountered by divers at night.

Milkfish

Iconic tropical fish widely farmed and found in Taiwanese coastal and brackish waters. Schooling omnivore important to aquaculture and local diets, with cultural and economic significance.

Japanese eel

Catadromous species found in Taiwan’s rivers and estuaries, migrating to the ocean to spawn. Important historically for fisheries and aquaculture; populations have declined and are monitored.

Giant mottled eel

Large tropical eel occurring in Taiwan’s rivers and coastal waters. Secretive and nocturnal, it migrates long distances and is culturally and ecologically important in river systems.

Formosan salmon

Endemic, endangered salmon subspecies native to high-altitude streams in Taiwan. Small compared to Pacific salmon, it is a conservation icon and indicator of pristine mountain waterways.

Mudskipper

Amphibious goby common in Taiwan’s mangroves and mudflats. Uses pectoral fins to “walk” on land, breathes air, and is a charismatic species linking terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Tilapia

Introduced, hardy cichlid now widespread in Taiwan’s freshwater and brackish systems. Important in aquaculture but can be ecologically disruptive; edible and culturally significant in local fisheries.

Common carp

Widely introduced and found in Taiwan’s freshwater bodies. Tolerant omnivore often associated with fisheries, ornamental varieties, and impacts on aquatic vegetation and sediment.

Great barracuda

A sleek, predatory coastal fish found off Taiwan’s shores. Known for powerful bursts of speed and ambush hunting; attracts anglers and plays a role in nearshore food webs.

Flathead grey mullet

Common in Taiwan’s estuaries and coastal lagoons, this mullet grazes detritus and algae. Important to small-scale fisheries and often seen in shallow, productive waters.

Japanese anchovy

Small, schooling forage fish abundant in Taiwan’s coastal waters. Forms the base of many food webs, crucial for predators, and important in local fisheries and fishmeal production.

Stonefish

Highly venomous bottom-dwelling fish found in southern Taiwanese reefs. Masters of camouflage, they pose a hazard to unwary swimmers but are an integral part of reef benthic communities.

Blue-spotted ribbontail ray

Small, colorful stingray common on shallow reefs and sandy areas near Taiwan. Feeds on invertebrates and contributes to benthic ecosystem processes; popular with divers for its patterning.