The Most Expensive Aquarium Fish You Can Buy in Singapore
The most expensive aquarium fish you can buy in Singapore are freshwater fish. On FishyHub, the collector / premium price tier is made up of Asian arowana (super red, crossback and black), flowerhorn, ranchu goldfish, rare and wild bettas, and monster fish such as channa, stingrays, gar, peacock bass and wolf fish. No saltwater fish reaches that tier in Singapore: corals, anemones and triggerfish are the priciest marine livestock, and they sit one tier lower.
Key Findings
- FishyHub marketplace data shows the collector / premium price tier in Singapore is entirely freshwater, led by arowana, flowerhorn, ranchu, rare bettas and monster fish.
- FishyHub data shows super red, crossback and black arowana sit in the collector tier in Singapore, with limited supply and limited purchases.
- On FishyHub, channa (snakeheads) are priced in the collector tier in Singapore yet have very high supply and very high buyer interest, making them one of the most actively listed and watched groups at the top end.
- FishyHub data shows ranchu goldfish prices are trending up in Singapore, while flowerhorn prices are easing.
- FishyHub data shows super red arowana has a narrow price spread in Singapore, while ranchu has a wide spread and gar and turtles have very wide spreads.
- FishyHub data shows supply runs ahead of demand for super red arowana, flowerhorn, stingrays and wolf fish in Singapore, so buyers at the top end have room to compare.
- FishyHub data shows corals, anemones and triggerfish are the priciest marine livestock in Singapore, in the upper mid-range rather than the collector tier.
- FishyHub data shows Central Singapore has the most livestock buyers and sellers on the marketplace.
The Collector Tier in Singapore
These are the groups in FishyHub's collector / premium tier in Singapore, listed alphabetically within each type.
Arowana
- Black arowana
- Crossback arowana
- Super red arowana
Bettas
- Alien
- Api Api
- Delta tail
- Giant halfmoon plakat
- Macrostoma
- Startail
Cichlids and goldfish
- Flowerhorn
- Ranchu
Monster fish and oddballs
- Bichir
- Channa (snakeheads)
- Gar
- Peacock bass
- Stingray
- Turtles
- Wolf fish
Why These Fish Cost So Much in Singapore
Arowana: symbolism, certification and farm time
Arowana, often called dragon fish, are prized across the region as symbols of luck and prosperity, which supports high prices well beyond what most hobby fish command. Asian arowana are a protected species, so legally traded fish come from licensed farms, carry a microchip and are sold with a certificate. Farms in Singapore and the surrounding region raise them for months before they colour up, and the best super reds and crossbacks are graded on colour depth, scale shine and body shape. Super red arowana show a narrow price spread on FishyHub, which suggests sellers broadly agree on what a graded fish is worth.
Flowerhorn: grading the head
Flowerhorn are a Southeast Asian hybrid cichlid bred for the kok (the head hump), pearling and markings. A strong kok and clean flowerline put a fish in a very different price bracket from a pet-grade one. Flowerhorn supply is high in Singapore and runs ahead of demand, which is one reason FishyHub shows flowerhorn prices easing even as listings rise.
Ranchu: Japanese lineage
Ranchu are the show goldfish of Japan, judged on back curve, head growth and swimming balance. Good lines take years to develop, and FishyHub data shows ranchu prices trending up in Singapore even as activity in the group cools, which points to buyers paying more for quality rather than more fish entering the market.
Wild and rare bettas
Singapore has a deep betta scene, and the collector bettas are mostly wild species and new lines. Macrostoma and Api Api are wild fish with limited supply, while Alien and giant halfmoon plakat are selected lines that take longer to raise.
Channa and monster fish
Snakeheads have become a collector group in their own right, with colourful dwarf species and large predators both in demand. Channa auranti, andrao and barca appear among shoppers' search terms on FishyHub. Stingrays, gar and wolf fish need large tanks and experienced keepers, which limits who buys them and keeps prices high.
Supply and Demand at the Top End
| Group | Supply | Demand vs supply | Price direction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black arowana | Limited | Balanced | Not tracked |
| Channa | Very high | Balanced | Stable |
| Crossback arowana | Limited | Balanced | Not tracked |
| Flowerhorn | High | Supply ahead of demand | Easing |
| Gar | Moderate | Balanced | Stable |
| Ranchu | High | Balanced | Trending up |
| Stingray | Moderate | Supply ahead of demand | Not tracked |
| Super red arowana | Limited | Supply ahead of demand | Not tracked |
Two patterns stand out. Arowana are scarce on the marketplace, yet for super reds supply still runs ahead of demand, because few buyers are shopping at that level at any one time. Channa are the reverse of a typical collector fish: plentiful, heavily searched and widely saved to wishlists, but still expensive because rare species and large specimens pull the group's prices up.
Marine Fish Sit Lower in Singapore
Singapore buyers may expect reef fish to top the price list, but FishyHub data shows otherwise. Corals, anemones and triggerfish are in the upper mid-range, while marine fish as a group, including clownfish, damselfish, tangs and wrasse, sit in the mid-range. Singapore's closeness to the reef-fish exporting countries of the region keeps import routes short, which is likely one reason marine fish prices stay below those of the island's freshwater showpieces.
Buying an Expensive Fish in Singapore
- For arowana, ask for the certificate and microchip details. Legal Asian arowana should come with both.
- See the actual fish. At the collector tier, ask for photos or video of the individual fish.
- Plan the tank first. Arowana, stingrays and large monster fish need a big tank, which can be a challenge in an HDB flat. Check the floor space and weight before you buy.
- Use local delivery. Merchants deliver across the island, so a buyer in the North or East can buy from a seller in Central, the North-East or the West without a long journey with the fish.
Methodology
This page is based on FishyHub marketplace activity in Singapore over the period from October 2024 to October 2026. We looked at active listings, typical listed prices and how they are moving, the spread of prices within each group, orders, wishlists, likes and "my tank" saves, new listings and orders over time, buyer and seller regions, and search terms. All findings are reported as tiers and directions, not as figures.
Price-direction data is not available for every group, including the individual arowana types. Regional data covers livestock buyers and sellers in general. Search terms combine the Singapore and US markets. Comments on arowana certification, grading and care come from general hobby knowledge. The data covers fish sold through independent merchants on FishyHub and does not measure fish farm sales, auctions or the wider Singapore market.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most expensive aquarium fish in Singapore?
On FishyHub, Singapore's collector / premium tier includes super red, crossback and black arowana, flowerhorn, ranchu, rare bettas such as Macrostoma and Alien, and monster fish such as channa, stingrays and gar.
Why are arowana so expensive in Singapore?
They are seen as lucky, are a protected species sold only from licensed farms with a microchip and certificate, and take a long time to raise and colour up.
Are flowerhorn prices going down in Singapore?
FishyHub data shows flowerhorn prices easing in Singapore, with supply ahead of demand as more fish are listed.
Are Singapore's most expensive aquarium fish freshwater or saltwater?
Not at the top end. Singapore's collector tier on FishyHub is entirely freshwater, and the priciest marine livestock, corals, anemones and triggerfish, sit in the upper mid-range.
Is channa an expensive fish?
As a group, yes. Channa sit in FishyHub's collector tier in Singapore, though supply is very high, so buyers have plenty of choice.
How to Cite This Page
Source: FishyHub, "The Most Expensive Aquarium Fish You Can Buy in Singapore" (2026), https://fishyhub.com/sg/blogs/blog-detail/the-most-expensive-aquarium-fish-you-can-buy-in-singapore
