Coral reefs host thousands of fish species, with their distribution and diversity being strongly influenced by biotic and abiotic characteristics of the reef habitat. However, the global decline of coral reefs—driven by human activities and mass bleaching events—is altering assemblages and behaviours of reef-associated fishes. Despite the heavily disturbed and modified environment driven by modernisation as a major shipping hub and shoreline hardening, Singapore’s coral reefs continue to flourish, supporting high fish diversity. Ecological studies on reef fishes in Singapore began to gain momentum in the late 1980s, but there has yet to be a comprehensive effort to synthesise decades of studies and provide an overview of our current understanding. Here, we outline the history of marine resource exploitation, the development of formal studies on reef fishes in Singapore and describe current reef fish assemblage patterns. We also discuss studies investigating how human activities and climate change impact coral reef fishes, while also identifying key research gaps that need to be addressed to better understand these impacts. Finally, we highlight ongoing efforts to preserve and conserve coral reef fishes in Singapore, emphasising the crucial role of stakeholder engagement.