Amphidromy is the most flexible diadromous migratory in comparison with anadromy and catadromy. Freshwater amphidromy with spawning occurring in freshwater is present in both tropical and temperate waters. Sicydiinae gobies are representatives of tropical freshwater amphidromy, whereas ayu (Plecoglossus altivelis), sculpins (Cottus) and galaxiids are representatives of temperate freshwater amphidromy. Recent findings from laboratory experiments and oceanic surveys showed their early development (e.g. eye development) could proceed only in saline waters, clearly demonstrating the necessity of an oceanic stage for the larvae in their life history. However in temperate freshwater amphidromy, ayu, sculpins and galaxiids sometimes have landlocked or fluvial resident forms with larvae that do not have to enter the ocean for larval feeding and growth. This suggests that Sicydiinae larvae have a high oceanic dependency whereas ayu, sculpin and galaxiid larvae have a low oceanic dependency. We hypothesise that freshwater amphidromous fishes in tropical and temperate zones developed two different strategies in the evolution of their life histories. It is likely that the evolutionary direction of the larval stage of tropical amphidromy is towards the sea and that of temperate freshwater amphidromy is towards freshwater.