Should I Keep the Fish in Animal Crossing? A Comprehensive Guide
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The question of what to do with the fish you reel in on your Animal Crossing: New Horizons island is a common one, and the answer isn’t always straightforward. The short answer is: it depends on your goals. There are several compelling reasons to keep some fish, and equally valid reasons to sell others. This guide will break down all the options so you can make informed decisions about your aquatic bounty.
Understanding the Value of Fish in Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Fish in Animal Crossing aren’t just pretty pixelated creatures swimming around your island’s waters. They serve several key purposes, each with varying degrees of importance for different players:
The Museum: Preserving Aquatic History
Arguably the most significant initial use for fish is to donate them to Blathers at the Museum. This is especially true for players who value completing their collection and contributing to the island’s cultural hub. The museum’s fish exhibit grows as you donate new species, and filling all the tanks is a rewarding endeavor. It is always recommended to donate the first catch of every species to Blathers.
The Allure of Bells: Making Money
While the museum provides a long-term goal, the more immediate need for many players is making money, or Bells, the in-game currency. Many fish, particularly rare ones, sell for high prices, offering a consistent source of income. If you’re focused on paying off your home loan or expanding your island, selling fish can be a good strategy.
Special Visitors: C.J. and Enhanced Profits
One of the most significant factors influencing the decision of whether to keep or sell fish is the presence of C.J., the fishing enthusiast. C.J. doesn’t just buy fish; he buys them for 150% of their standard value, making him a valuable visitor to capitalize on. Knowing when to hoard and when to sell becomes vital when you aim to maximize your Bell gains.
Golden Tools: The Ultimate Fishing Goal
For the completionists, another compelling reason to keep, or at least catch, all the fish is to unlock the coveted Golden Fishing Rod. This tool is earned after you have completed the museum’s fish exhibit and collected all of the fish.
When Should You Keep Your Fish?
Here’s a more detailed look at scenarios where keeping your fish might be a good idea:
- You haven’t donated a particular species to the Museum: The primary reason to hold onto a fish is if it’s a new species that you haven’t donated to Blathers yet. Contributing to the museum helps in its growth and your collections progress.
- C.J. is visiting your island: When C.J. is present, saving your fish to sell to him is a great way to maximize your profits. The difference in selling prices is significant.
- You’re working towards the Golden Fishing Rod: If your aim is to complete the fish encyclopedia, keep your fish until you’ve finished the collection.
- When Cooking: Since the 2.0 update, you can now cook with fish. If you’re planning on doing some cooking, it’s good to keep various types of fish available.
- You’re feeling sentimental: If you’re attached to a particularly interesting catch, it can be fun to keep one around just because you want to!
When Should You Sell Your Fish?
Here’s a detailed look at scenarios where selling your fish might be a better idea:
- You’ve already donated a specific species to the Museum: Once Blathers has it, there is no further need to keep duplicates if your only goal is to complete the museum.
- You need Bells urgently: If you need to pay off a loan or upgrade your island, selling your fish at Nook’s Cranny is a good way to make some fast cash.
- You have a large quantity of common fish: Common fish aren’t worth a ton, even when C.J. is around. If your storage is full, and they are mostly common varieties, selling might be the optimal choice.
- You aren’t focused on museum completion: Some players are not as interested in the museum and would prefer to sell every fish they catch. This is perfectly fine!
The Bottom Line
Ultimately, the decision to keep or sell fish depends on your play style, your island’s needs, and your personal goals in the game. There’s no single “right” answer. A balanced approach, where you prioritize donating new species, holding valuable fish for C.J. and occasionally selling for Bells, is often the most rewarding.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Should I always donate the first fish I catch to Blathers?
Yes, absolutely! Donating the first catch of each species to Blathers ensures the Museum’s collection grows and provides a long-term sense of achievement. It’s a core element of the game for many players.
2. Is it better to sell fish to C.J. or Timmy and Tommy at Nook’s Cranny?
C.J. pays 150% more for fish than Timmy and Tommy, so always prioritize selling your fish to C.J. when he visits. This results in significantly more Bells.
3. Can I sell sea creatures to C.J.?
No, C.J. only buys fish caught with a fishing rod, not sea creatures obtained by diving.
4. How often does C.J. visit my island?
C.J. is a random visitor, so his appearance is not predictable. He will leave your island at 5 am the next day. Therefore, be sure to sell fish to him in the same day that he appears on your island.
5. What are the most profitable fish to sell in Animal Crossing?
Some of the most profitable fish include the Golden Trout, Stringfish, Dorado, Great White Shark, Barreleye, Coelacanth, which sell for 15,000 bells each, with Whale Shark and Saw Shark following close behind. These are all worth selling to CJ for an even greater profit.
6. Is there any fish that is not worth selling?
The Tadpole is the least valuable fish, selling for only 100 Bells. However, even those little guys can be useful to you while completing the museum or cooking.
7. Do fish have other uses besides the Museum and Bells?
Yes, fish are needed for cooking recipes added in the 2.0 update. They are also a requirement to unlock the Golden Tools.
8. What is the Golden Fishing Rod, and how do I get it?
The Golden Fishing Rod is a special tool you can unlock in the game, obtained by completing the museum’s fish exhibit. Once you have all fish registered in your encyclopedia and donated to Blathers, the Golden Fishing Rod recipe will become available.
9. Can you sell fossils and what should I do with them?
Yes, you can sell fossils, but it is always better to donate the first one of each kind to Blathers first. Once you have completed the fossil wing of the museum, then selling extra fossils is a good way to make some extra bells.
10. Should I sell bugs like I sell fish?
Much like fish, you should donate the first bug of each kind to Blathers before selling the extras. Once you have completed the museum bug collection, then sell extra bugs for extra bells.
11. Who buys bugs, like CJ buys fish?
Flick is the one who purchases bugs at 150% of the standard selling price, much like CJ does with fish. He is a random visitor and is not available every day.
12. Does the time of day affect what fish I can catch?
Yes, the time of day and the season greatly impact what fish you can find. Some fish are only available during specific times and months.
13. Why won’t Tom Nook take my fish?
Tom Nook only takes the first 5 bugs or fish you get to entice Blathers to come to the island. After that, Blathers will be the one to accept donations of fish and bugs to the museum.
14. Can I trade fish with other players?
Yes, you can drop fish on your island for other players to pick up, allowing for trading or helping other players complete their museums.
15. Is it worth saving common fish for C.J.?
While C.J. will pay more for common fish, they are still not worth much, even with the 150% bonus. If you are running low on storage, it might be best to sell common fish at Nook’s Cranny instead of keeping them just for C.J.