Should I Give Fish to Tom Nook? A Comprehensive Guide for Animal Crossing Players
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The short answer is: yes, initially, you absolutely should give fish (and bugs!) to Tom Nook. However, this is only a temporary step in your Animal Crossing: New Horizons journey. Tom Nook is the key to unlocking the museum and setting up the initial structure of your island. But after that initial phase, your fish have much better uses. Let’s dive into the details to fully understand when, why, and what to do with your finned friends.
The Importance of Early Donations
The First Five: Laying the Foundation for the Museum
In the very beginning of the game, Tom Nook will task you with catching five fish or bugs. This isn’t just busy work; these first five creatures are crucial for unlocking the museum. After you have crafted a fishing rod and a net, Tom Nook will mention he is interested in the local fauna, suggesting he might have a friend who would appreciate them.
Once you’ve handed over these first five donations, Tom Nook will contact his friend, Blathers. The next day, Blathers will arrive and set up his tent, marking the beginning of your island’s museum. This makes those first five donations to Nook absolutely vital to progressing in the game.
Beyond the First Five: Your Fish’s Future
After Blathers arrives, Tom Nook will no longer accept donations. Now, all the fish you catch will need to find another purpose. This is where it gets interesting, as you have several choices to make with your catches, leading you to other important features within the game.
What to Do with Fish After Meeting Blathers
Donate to the Museum: Completing Your Collection
The primary purpose of your fish collection, after helping Tom Nook, is to donate them to the museum. Blathers accepts one of each kind of fish, bug, fossil, and art piece. Donating your first catch of each species is essential for building a complete and engaging museum exhibit, a cornerstone of many players’ island ambitions. Not only does it feel incredibly satisfying to complete the museum, but it also unlocks in-game achievements and provides a beautiful, explorable area for all to enjoy.
Selling for Bells: The Financial Angle
While donation is key for the museum, fish can also be a valuable source of bells, the in-game currency. You can sell fish at Nook’s Cranny to Timmy and Tommy. However, be aware that if you use the drop box outside the shop after hours, you’ll only receive 80% of the usual selling price, so it’s best to store fish and sell them when the shop is open.
Some fish, especially the rare ones like the Golden Trout, Stringfish, and various Sharks, fetch a hefty price. These can be a crucial tool for paying off debts and funding your island’s development.
The Power of Special Visitors: CJ and Flick
Beyond Nook’s Cranny, you have the chance to encounter two special visitors who dramatically alter the value of your catches: CJ (for fish) and Flick (for bugs). These characters randomly visit your island and will buy fish and bugs at a premium: 150% of the regular selling price. Selling your fish and bugs to them is a great way to maximize your profits.
Other Uses: Bait and the Golden Rod
Beyond selling and donating, fish can be used to create fish bait, a helpful item when you are trying to catch those rarer specimens. Also, catching every single fish in the game will eventually unlock the recipe for the Golden Rod, which increases your chances of catching rare fish and adds to your fishing efficiency.
Conclusion: Strategic Fishing
In the beginning, giving your first five fish to Tom Nook is a mandatory step to unlock the museum, which is crucial for overall game progression. Afterward, though, you need to shift your focus to maximizing your profits and completing your museum collection. Donate your first catches of each species to the museum, sell the rest to Nook’s Cranny, but always keep an eye out for special visitor CJ. You’ll soon find that fishing is a key element to enjoying the many different facets of Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What happens when I give Tom Nook fish?
When you give Tom Nook fish (or bugs) for the first time, he will eventually mention that he’s interested in the local wildlife and is thinking about having a museum on the island. After you donate five, he’ll contact Blathers, who arrives the next day and sets up his tent.
2. Why can’t I give fish to Tom Nook anymore?
Once you have given Tom Nook five fish or bugs, and Blathers has set up his tent, Tom Nook will no longer accept donations. This is because Blathers becomes the sole recipient for fish, bugs, fossils, and artwork, acting as the island’s museum curator.
3. Is it better to sell or donate fish?
The best approach is to donate your first catch of each fish species to the museum. After that, you can either sell the duplicates for bells or store them until CJ visits your island to sell them for a higher price.
4. Should I keep fish in Animal Crossing?
Yes, you should! Fish serve several purposes. You need them for donations to the museum, selling for bells, or saving them for CJ. Also, if you’re looking to complete the entire Critterpedia, you’ll need to catch them all eventually.
5. Who should I sell fish to in Animal Crossing?
The best options for selling fish are Nook’s Cranny and CJ. Sell regular catches at Nook’s Cranny. When CJ is visiting your island, wait to sell your valuable fish to him as he will offer 150% of their usual price.
6. What are the most profitable fish in Animal Crossing?
The most profitable fish are usually the rare ones. These include the Golden Trout, Stringfish, Dorado, Great White Shark, Barreleye, Coelacanth, Whale Shark, and Saw Shark, all of which can fetch 10,000 bells or more.
7. What is the lowest-selling fish in Animal Crossing?
The Tadpole is the lowest-selling fish, going for only 100 bells. It is not worth the effort to focus on catching them for profit, making it best to just donate it to the museum to complete your collection.
8. What is the hardest fish to catch in Animal Crossing?
The Coelacanth is often considered one of the hardest to catch, due to its rarity and the need for rainy weather. Other tough catches include the Golden Trout, Great White Shark, Sturgeon, and Oarfish.
9. Should I sell sharks in Animal Crossing?
Yes, you should certainly sell sharks, as they fetch a high price. While some sharks are worth more than others, they are all good to sell for a solid amount of bells, and they become even more lucrative if sold to CJ.
10. Does CJ pay more for fish?
Yes, CJ will buy fish for 150% of their regular value! He appears randomly on your island, so it’s wise to hold onto valuable fish until he visits.
11. Do the creatures I give to Tom Nook end up in the museum?
No, the creatures you give to Tom Nook are purely for the purpose of unlocking the museum. They are not stored or displayed in the museum itself. You’ll need to catch a second specimen of each if you want it displayed in the museum.
12. What are the 2 rarest fish in Animal Crossing?
Many players consider the Coelacanth and Great White Shark to be among the rarest fish due to their specific weather, season, and time restrictions for spawning.
13. What is the most valuable bug in Animal Crossing?
The Scarab Beetle, Horned Elephant, Horned Atlas, Cyclommatus Stag, Goliath Beetle, Scorpion, Tarantula, and Rainbow Stag are among the highest-valued bugs. Each sells for 6,000 to 10,000 bells and even more with Flick.
14. Should I sell bugs in Animal Crossing?
Similar to fish, you should donate your first of each bug to Blathers, then sell any extras to either Nook’s Cranny, or, ideally, to Flick for 150% their usual value.
15. Is the fish bait worth it in Animal Crossing?
Yes, fish bait is a useful tool that allows you to make fish spawn in ponds and oceans regardless of their normal spawn rate. It can help when you’re looking to complete the collection and are having difficulty finding rarer fish like the Golden Trout in specific locations.