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.
I went to the aquarium on the weekend.
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.
I bought a new aquarium.
Specifically a tropical fish tank. Often used when the context is clearly about keeping fish as pets.
A loanword from English, used in hobbyist contexts or for artistic aquascaping. Not as common as 水槽 for everyday home tanks.
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.
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.
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.
I need to change the water in the aquarium.
I cleaned the tropical fish aquarium.
I entered an aquarium contest.
I keep a betta fish in a small glass aquarium.