The CHEMISTRY and EQUIPMENT Update

You’ve been waiting so patiently for this: we are extremely excited to announce that the CHEMISTRY AND EQUIPMENT update is now live!

This is a significant update–our biggest ever–that’s going to make the tanks in Fish Game feel that much more realistic and closer to real-life aquariums, while also allowing new fishkeepers to learn about the real-world chemistry needs of freshwater aquariums. It’ll give players more opportunities for more tanks and more automation, OR to be highly involved in tank care–whatever their preference may be!

Here’s a breakdown of what to expect.

Chemistry System - a complete overhaul!

The game now models real-world chemical interactions that fishkeepers will recognize from IRL aquariums, pulling from over two dozen tank factors.

There’s now true fluid simulation. Flow visibly pushes fish, plants, bubbles, and fish food. It affects water chemistry and ties in with fish needs and preferences. For example, some fish enjoy swimming in higher currents or need more exposure to oxygen, which flow can provide. Flow is also impacted by the shape of the scape in a tank, meaning it can be changed and directed by hardscape and substrate!

All of this will impact the dynamic behaviours in your fish tanks. We can’t wait for you to start exploring the changes and additions!

To round out the update, we’ve also added some fun new UI, so players can see all of the interactions and changes in tank chemistry–something that IRL fishkeepers can only wish they had when tank ecosystems start to crash!

Fish Game is meant to be fun above all else (it’s why we called it Fish Game and not Fish Simulator!). Equipment gives players the ability to have more aquariums with less management! Just like in actual fish keeping, many tanks can become close to self-sustaining. If players aren't ready to dive into the equipment experience, the Settings menu will have an option to freeze the chemistry at its original state.

Equipment

Brand new chemistry wouldn’t be complete without tools to manage it: we’re introducing equipment in this update as well! Equipment will impact water chemistry, and will allow players to manipulate flow and light fields. With this new equipment, players can have control over the water in their tanks and assistance in keeping their fish fed and happy!

The new UI and visuals give players the ability to see the impact of their equipment and the state of their tank. Players will be able to use this real-world equipment in creative ways to make and maintain their ideal tanks. For example, airstones can be used to create walls of bubbles and circulation pumps can create fun river aquascapes!

Finally, to make hardscape and equipment easier to move around inside your tanks, we’ve implemented new and improved movement tools as well as UNDO and REDO!

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Here’s a non-exhaustive summary of chemistry trackers:

• O2

• CO2

• pH

• kH

• Temperature

• Waste (dead organic matter--including but not limited to fish waste--that is not yet dissolved into ammonia)

• Ammonia

• Nitrites

• Nitrates

• Beneficial Bacteria (bacteria that moves waste through the nitrogen cycle: ammonia to nitrites to nitrates)

• Water Column Algae

• Surface Agitation (resulting in gas exchange)

• Flow

• Bioload (the total impact of biological activity on water chemistry)

• Illnesses

• Medicines

And finally: New Equipment

• Air Stone

• Air Disc

• Air Wall

• Auto-feeder

• Circulation Pump

• CO2 Diffuser

• CO2 Drop Checker

• Canister Filter

• Hang on Back Filter

• Sponge Filter

• Stick Heater

• Light Bar

• Mounted Light

• Thermometer

• Floating Rings

Want to have direct influence on future fish to be added? Join the Fish Game Patreon to vote on future DLC (and to get those DLC included as part of your subscription). We also invite you to join the community Discord to share your aquascapes and thoughts!