The effects of alizarin complexone (ALC) on otolith marking, growth and survival of Tanichthys albonubes were studied, aiming to improve the applicability of this marking technique in tracing T. albonubes for a better understanding of its movement and migration pattern. Larvae, juveniles with the body length of 5.8-10.5 mm (J5s), juveniles with the body length of 10.8-13.2 mm (J10s), and adults of T. albonubes were selected in the experiment, the water temperature was 28-30 ℃, and immerse time was 24 h. Larvae and J5s of T. albonubes exposed to 50 mg·L^-1 and 80 mg·L^-1 of ALC had a 100% survival rate, but those exposed to 100 mg·L^-1 had a mortality rate of 80%. Under the condition of 80 mg·L^-1 ALC, growth rings in otoliths detected by fluorescence microscope (GRFM) were found in all the larvae and J5s. Under 80 mg·L^-1 and 100 mg·L^-1 of ALC, all J10s survived, but the mortality rate of J10s exposed to 150 mg·L^-1 of ALC was 44%. GRFM was found in all J10s under 100 mg·L^-1 of ALC. Under 100 mg·L^-1 and 150 mg·L^-1 of ALC, all adult fish survived with GRFM, but under 200 mg·L^-1 of ALC all adult fish died. Cultured for 90 days after exposure to ALC, J5s had the similar body weight, SGR, DWG, and 100% survival rate as compared to the controls (P>0.05). It was suggested that the suitable concentrations of ALC treating larvae, J5s, J10s, and adults of T. albonubes for GRFM were 80 mg·L^-1, 100 mg·L^-1 and 150 mg·L^-1, respectively.