Translation guide
The English word 'aquarium' can refer to a public building with fish tanks, a home fish tank, or the glass container itself. Japanese uses different words for these meanings.
A large public facility where aquatic animals are displayed, like a zoo for fish.
The standard word for a public aquarium. Used for places like Osaka Aquarium or Monterey Bay Aquarium.
週末に水族館に行った。
I went to the aquarium on the weekend.
この水族館は日本で一番大きい。
This aquarium is the largest in Japan.
A glass tank kept at home or in an office, containing fish or other aquatic creatures.
Refers to the physical tank itself, whether for fish, reptiles, or other purposes. Often used with 熱帯魚 (tropical fish) to specify an aquarium.
新しい水槽を買った。
I bought a new aquarium.
水槽の水を替えないと。
I need to change the water in the aquarium.
Specifically a tropical fish tank. Often used when the context is clearly about keeping fish as pets.
熱帯魚の水槽を掃除した。
I cleaned the tropical fish aquarium.
A small glass bowl or tank, often for a single fish or decoration.
Literally 'goldfish bowl'. The most common word for a small round glass bowl used for goldfish.
金魚鉢に金魚が一匹いる。
There is one goldfish in the aquarium bowl.
A glass tank, can be small or large. Use this when the material (glass) is emphasized or when it's not specifically a goldfish bowl.
小さなガラスの水槽でベタを飼っている。
I keep a betta fish in a small glass aquarium.
While アクアリウム is understood, it sounds unnatural for large public facilities. Always use 水族館 for those.
If you're talking about visiting an aquarium as a tourist attraction, 水族館 is the only natural choice. For home fishkeeping, 水槽 is the default.
A loanword from English, used in hobbyist contexts or for artistic aquascaping. Not as common as 水槽 for everyday home tanks.
アクアリウムのコンテストに参加した。
I entered an aquarium contest.