Why Won’t Blathers Accept My Fish? A Comprehensive Guide to Museum Donations in Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Fast answer first. Then use the tabs or video for more detail.
- Watch the video explanation below for a faster overview.
- Game mechanics may change with updates or patches.
- Use this block to get the short answer without scrolling the whole page.
- Read the FAQ section if the article has one.
- Use the table of contents to jump straight to the detailed section you need.
- Watch the video first, then skim the article for specifics.
You’ve spent hours fishing in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, proudly clutching your latest catch, only to be met with Blathers the owl’s refusal to accept it. Frustration sets in – why won’t the museum curator take your precious fish? The answer, while sometimes disappointing, is usually straightforward: Blathers won’t accept fish if you’ve already donated that species to the museum. This is a core mechanic of the game, designed to encourage players to collect a diverse range of species rather than just duplicates. Once a fish, bug, fossil, or artwork is registered in the museum’s collection, Blathers will politely decline to take another one of the same kind.
Understanding the Donation System
The museum in Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a central feature, offering players a place to display their hard-earned catches and finds. It’s Blathers, the scholarly owl, who manages this collection, accepting donations of fish, bugs, sea creatures, art, and fossils. His ultimate goal is to create a comprehensive showcase of the island’s biodiversity and history.
The Initial Donation Process
To even get to the point where Blathers will accept donations, you must first progress through the game’s introductory phases. On your first day, Tom Nook will task you with finding five different bugs or fish. Once you hand these over, Nook arranges for the placement of a museum plot. The next day, Blathers will arrive in a tent and start accepting donations of 15 unique creatures to establish his initial museum. It’s crucial to remember that these first five creatures given to Tom Nook count towards the total of 15 Blathers needs to establish the museum. This initial phase is crucial to unlock the full donation potential of the game.
Why Duplicates Are Rejected
Once a particular species of fish has been donated to the museum, that species is permanently added to the exhibits. Therefore, when you present Blathers with another specimen of that species, he won’t take it. This mechanism is designed to ensure a varied museum collection. Blathers is always looking for something new to catalog. This means he will only ever accept unique donations. He will also politely tell you that he cannot accept the fish, confirming you have previously donated it.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
To further clarify the donation process and address common player frustrations, here are 15 frequently asked questions:
1. Why won’t Tom Nook take my fish?
Tom Nook will only accept fish or bugs as part of the initial set up for the museum. This first step requires you to give him five specimens of either fish or bugs. Once this is done, he will no longer accept any further fish or bugs. He will, however, later ask you to gather specimens of specific species, to introduce characters to your island. This is completely separate from donations to the museum, and is part of the main storyline for Animal Crossing New Horizons.
2. How do I get Tom Nook to take my fish initially?
When you first play, immediately go out and catch five fish or bugs. When you speak to Nook, a prompt saying “I found a creature!” will appear. Select this option, and hand over five creatures. This triggers the museum plot placement.
3. Can I donate a fish that I shared with a friend?
Yes, it’s possible that if you shared the game with someone else on the same island, they might have donated the fish without your knowledge. This is important to be aware of if you’re playing on a shared console. It’s good practice to communicate with other players about donations to avoid repeating them.
4. Why won’t Blathers take my fossils?
Similar to fish and bugs, Blathers won’t take a fossil if you’ve already donated that particular fossil. Each fossil in the game can only be donated once to the museum. Blathers will tell you if this is the case by stating you have previously donated it,
5. What does Blathers accept for donations?
Blathers accepts donations of fish, bugs, sea creatures, fossils, and art. These all contribute to building a comprehensive museum collection.
6. What happens if I try to donate a fake artwork?
If you try to donate a fake artwork, Blathers will immediately identify it as a fake and refuse it. Always make sure you’re getting the genuine version before trying to donate.
7. Should I give my oarfish to Blathers?
Yes, it’s highly recommended. While it can be sold for 9,000 Bells, donating it to the museum is a noble act that helps you complete your collection. Furthermore, it’s a great specimen to have on display.
8. Should I donate all of my first fish to Blathers?
Yes, Animal Crossing veterans often suggest that you donate the first of every kind of item you find to Blathers. This will populate your museum, and you can sell any duplicates at Nook’s Cranny.
9. What if the fish I caught is a duplicate?
If it’s a duplicate, Blathers won’t accept it. However, you can sell the duplicate fish at Nook’s Cranny for Bells or use it for crafting purposes.
10. Does fish bait help with catching certain fish?
Fish bait is useful for spawning a fish randomly in any body of water. It doesn’t guarantee a specific fish, but it does allow you to fish in a specific location without having to wait for a fish to spawn on its own. This can be especially useful when you’re hunting for rare or elusive species.
11. What are some of the hardest fish to catch?
Some of the most challenging fish to catch include the Coelacanth, Great White Shark, Golden Trout, and Blue Marlin. These fish are often seasonal, found in specific locations, or require a lot of persistence.
12. What are some of the rarest bugs in the game?
The rarest bugs to catch include the Giraffe Stag, Scarab Beetle, Goliath Beetle, and Horned Hercules. These bugs typically appear at specific times of the year or in particular locations.
13. How do I unlock the ability to donate art?
To unlock art donations, you must first donate a total of 60 bugs, fish, and/or fossils to the museum. This includes the initial 15 donations to establish the museum and any creatures given to Tom Nook previously.
14. Is there any benefit to donating all creatures?
Yes, donating every fish, bug, sea creature, fossil, and artwork completes the museum and rewards you with achievements and a sense of completion. The museum is one of the main goals of the game, so it is extremely rewarding to finish.
15. How can I know which items I have already donated?
The easiest way to know what you’ve already donated is to visit the museum and check the displays. The specific fish will be visible on display, showing that you have previously donated that species. In addition, you can consult the Critterpedia in your Nook Phone which shows all of your catches and donations
Conclusion
Blathers’ refusal to accept your fish is a built-in mechanism of Animal Crossing: New Horizons, designed to make you explore and seek out unique creatures for the museum. Don’t be discouraged by rejection, instead, it should encourage you to find new species for donation. Armed with the information in this guide, you should now have a better understanding of the museum’s donation system, and hopefully be well on your way to creating a fully comprehensive museum on your island. Happy fishing!