Learn to identify marine fish found in the waters around Japan! The highly popular “Comparative Guide to Marine Fish” series now includes a long-awaited volume!
Yamakei Publishers, Inc. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo), which handles media businesses in the mountain and nature fields within the Impress Group, published “Understanding Saltwater Fish Through Comparison” on July 7, 2026.
Introducing “Compare and Identify Saltwater Fish,” a book that helps you distinguish between saltwater fish you encounter while diving, snorkeling, exploring tide pools, or sea fishing!
“What was the name of that fish I saw while diving…?”
“I wanted to write the name of the fish in my logbook, but even after looking at a fish encyclopedia, I couldn’t figure out which fish it was…”
“I want to be able to tell the difference between clownfish and damselfish, just like the guide taught me!”
“Compare and Understand Saltwater Fish” will solve all those problems in one go!
■ Four key features of this book
1. Can distinguish similar fish by “comparing” them.
Based on classifications such as butterflyfish and anthias, similar species are placed close together on each page. The key differences are clearly explained, making it easy to spot the differences at a glance.
Furthermore, it thoroughly covers cases where body color differs depending on the growth stage (juvenile/adult) and sex.
2. You can see the “real colors” that are alive!
This book features beautiful underwater photographs taken by underwater photographer Kazushige Horiguchi in oceans all over Japan. Unlike typical field guides that use photographs of specimens, the colors are closer to what you would actually see underwater, making it easier to compare with your memories of what you’ve seen or photographed in the ocean.
3. We’ve carefully selected approximately 550 species that divers encounter!
This guide features a carefully selected collection of approximately 550 major marine fish species commonly seen when diving in the waters around Japan. From popular clownfish and damselfish to the lumpfish that enliven the winter seas, it thoroughly covers the creatures that divers want to encounter.
4. Suitable for a wide range of beach leisure activities!
This guide features many of the fish found in the waters around Japan, making it perfect for diving, snorkeling, exploring tide pools, and sea fishing.
【table of contents】
Rays and sharks / Butterflyfish / Angelfish / Swallowtail fish / Bigeye snapper / Leopard snapper / Snapper / Grunt / Sea bream / Threadfin bream / Rabbitfish / Surgeonfish / Grouper / Anthias / Gurnard / Scorpionfish / Rockfish / Greenling / Flathead / Lumpfish / Lumberjack / Damselfish / Clownfish / Blenny / Goby / Marlin Cardinalfish family / Wrasse family / Wrasse family / Parrotfish family / Sand perch family / Longfin trevally family / Hawkfish family / Flounder and sole family / Horse mackerel family / Barracuda family / Mackerel family / Goatfish family / Pipefish family / Dragonfly family / Cardinalfish family / Mullet family / Anglerfish family / Slugfish family / Lizardfish family / Needlefish family / Moray eel family / Conger eel family / Sea snake family / Filefish family / Triggerfish family / Pufferfish, Boxfish family / Ocean sunfish family
[Product details]
Book Title: Comparing and Understanding Marine Fish
Photos: Kazushige Horiguchi / Text: Yoko Yamazaki, Harumi Yamamoto, Maki Yamamoto / Supervision: Hiroyuki Motomura
List price: 2,750 yen (2,500 yen + 10% tax)
Release date: July 7, 2026
Specifications: B5 size, 144 pages, full color
Product URL: https://www.yamakei.co.jp/products/2826063790.html
[Author Profile]
■Photo: Kazushige Horiguchi
An underwater photographer who conveys the allure of Japan’s seas. After working as a diving guide, he became a photographer and is active in a wide range of media including books, magazines, websites, and newspapers. His published works include “Illustrated Guide to Marine Aliens” (Yama-kei Publishers) and “The Sea Where You Can Meet Deep-Sea Fish” (Froebel-kan). He has won awards in international photo contests for five consecutive years, including Nature Photographer of the Year 2022 and Underwater Photographer of the Year 2026 in the Behaviour category.
■Supervised by: Hiroyuki Motomura
Born in Shizuoka Prefecture in 1973. Holds a PhD in Agriculture. After working at the National Museum of Nature and Science and the Australian Museum, he is currently a professor at the Kagoshima University Museum. His specialty is fish taxonomy. His publications include “Yuruyuru Kaigyo Zukan” (supervised by Gakken) and “Nihon no Shinkai Uma Nichien” (co-edited by Yama-kei Publishers).
[Yama-kei Publishers] https://www.yamakei.co.jp/
Founded in 1930, the company publishes books on mountaineering, natural science, outdoor activities, lifestyle, and health, primarily the monthly magazine “Yama to Keikoku” (Mountains and Valleys), and also operates online media and services.
Furthermore, we are also working on solution projects that aim to revitalize local communities in collaboration with companies and local governments, focusing on mountain climbing and outdoor activities.
[Impress Group] https://www.impressholdings.com/
Impress Holdings, Inc. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Yuki Tsukamoto) is a media group with a holding company structure. The group develops highly specialized media, services, and solutions businesses focusing on key themes such as “IT & Design,” “Music,” “Mountains & Nature,” “Aviation & Railways,” “Mobile Services,” and “Academic & Science/Engineering.” Furthermore, it also develops and operates content business platforms.
