Should You Sell Your Fish in Animal Crossing? A Comprehensive Guide

The question of whether to sell your hard-earned catches in Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a common one for both newcomers and seasoned islanders. The simple answer is: yes, you absolutely should sell fish in Animal Crossing, but strategically. The game offers multiple avenues for using your fish, each with its own benefits. Therefore, the most rewarding approach is to understand those avenues and make informed decisions based on your current needs and goals within the game. This article will explore when and how to maximize your fish earnings, and why simply hoarding them isn’t the most efficient way to play.

Understanding Your Options

When it comes to fish, you essentially have three main choices:

1. Donating to the Museum: Blathers, the owl curator, eagerly awaits your donations of every unique species. This is essential for completing the Museum’s fish exhibit, an achievement many players strive for. Once donated, that species is permanently added to your museum collection, allowing you to observe it whenever you wish.
2. Selling for Bells: This is the most straightforward option. You can sell your fish to Timmy and Tommy at Nook’s Cranny, or to C.J., the visiting otter, for a bonus.
3. Holding for Special Purposes: Some players may choose to hold on to specific fish for crafting, villager requests, or future events, though these cases are less common than donating or selling.

The best approach is to combine these options. Prioritize donating your first catch of each species to the museum, then proceed to sell the remainder for valuable bells. Here’s a deeper look at why this strategy works.

Selling to Nook’s Cranny vs. C.J.

Nook’s Cranny offers a consistent and reliable way to sell fish. However, if you are looking to maximize your profits, waiting for C.J. to visit your island is the way to go.

C.J.’s Advantage:

• Higher Prices: C.J. buys fish for 1.5 times the regular price that Timmy and Tommy offer. This bonus can significantly increase your earnings, especially when selling rare or high-value fish.
• Time Sensitivity: C.J. is a visitor, and will leave the following day at 5 am. So it’s important to take advantage of his visit.
• Fishing Challenges: While C.J. is on your island, he may offer unique challenges that further reward your fishing efforts.

When to Sell to Nook’s:

• Immediate Bells: If you need cash quickly and C.J. isn’t available, Nook’s Cranny is a great option.
• Low-Value Fish: For very common and low-value fish, the extra waiting time for C.J. may not be worth the small profit boost.

Which Fish Should You Prioritize Selling?

Some fish are far more valuable than others. When focusing on making bells, prioritize these high-value fish:

• The Most Valuable: Stringfish, Dorado, Barreleye, Coelacanth, Golden Trout, and the Great White Shark, all sell for a whopping 15,000 bells each.
• Other Rare Catches: Keep an eye out for fish like the King Salmon, Blue Marlin, Oarfish, and Sturgeon. These are also worth significantly more than common species.

The Importance of Museum Completion

While selling fish for bells is vital, don’t neglect your Museum. Completing the museum collections is a significant long-term goal in the game and has substantial rewards.

• Fulfilling Achievement: Completing the museum is a big accomplishment and a great source of satisfaction for many players.
• Golden Tools: If you manage to collect every fish, bug, and sea creature, you’ll unlock exclusive Golden Tool recipes, which are more durable than regular tools.

Strategic Selling: When to Hold Back

While selling is usually the best option, consider holding on to a few specific fish for these reasons:

• Crafting: Some recipes require specific fish. Keep a few of the more common fish on hand for when recipes call for them.
• Villager Requests: Occasionally, villagers will ask you to catch specific fish for them. Fulfilling these requests can improve your relationship with the villagers.
• Special Events: Certain events, especially fishing tournaments, may require specific fish. Having some on hand can be beneficial.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Why is it important to donate the first catch of each fish to the museum?

Donating the first of each fish to the museum completes your collection, allows you to admire it later, and gives you a sense of progression. Additionally, it is a prerequisite for unlocking golden tool recipes.

2. Should I sell fish to C.J. or Timmy and Tommy?

Always sell to C.J. when possible, as he offers 1.5 times the price of Timmy and Tommy for all fish. However, if you need money fast, selling to Timmy and Tommy is fine too.

3. Which fish sell for the most bells in Animal Crossing?

The top-selling fish are the Stringfish, Dorado, Barreleye, Coelacanth, Golden Trout, and Great White Shark, each selling for 15,000 bells.

4. What are some of the rarest fish in the game?

Some of the rarest fish include the Coelacanth, Great White Shark, Golden Trout, and the Barreleye.

5. What’s the best way to find rare fish?

Use fish bait which you can craft from Manila Clams. Look for larger shadows, and fish in the right places and during the right times.

6. Is there a faster way to catch fish?

Not really, but timing is everything. Be patient and carefully watch for the bobber to be pulled fully under the water before reeling in.

7. Why do my fish keep swimming away?

This is usually because you are reeling in too early, before the bobber goes fully under the water.

8. Is it worth selling my fossils right away?

It’s best to appraise your fossils at Blathers’ museum first before selling. This ensures that you have donated the fossils you need for the museum, and can then sell any duplicates.

9. What are the least valuable fish in Animal Crossing?

Tadpoles are the least valuable, selling for only 100 bells.

10. Does weather affect the fish I can catch?

Yes, some fish, like the Coelacanth, only appear when it is raining.

11. Can I swim to catch fish?

No, you need to fish from a shore, pier, or from a bridge. However, you can catch sea creatures by swimming in the ocean.

12. What is the weirdest fish in Animal Crossing?

The Napoleonfish is considered one of the strangest looking fish in the game.

13. Are there any fish that are difficult to catch?

Yes, fish like the Coelacanth, King Salmon, and the Great White Shark are considered difficult to catch.

14. How do I unlock the ability to swim?

You must first purchase a Wet Suit from Nook’s Cranny or from the Nook Shopping app.

15. How can I swim faster?

Mash the A button rapidly when swimming, and your villager will perform a breaststroke, which is faster.

Conclusion

In summary, selling your fish is a crucial part of Animal Crossing: New Horizons. The key is to do so strategically. Prioritize donating new species to Blathers at the Museum, and then sell the rest, especially when C.J. is on your island. By making these informed decisions, you’ll maximize your profits, complete your museum, and get the most enjoyment out of your island life. Happy fishing!