This dataset contains databases summarising studies which have investigated the effects of elevated CO2 on fish physiology, life-history, early life-history, behaviour and otolith development between the years 2009-2018. These paper databases support the figures included in the book chapter 'Ecological effects of elevated CO2 on marine and freshwater fishes: from individual to community effects' in Fish Physiology Volume 37. This database was created through an exhaustive search online between Jan-May 2019.