TL;DR
- April introduces 10 new fish and 9 new bugs in Northern Hemisphere, plus limited Southern additions
- Giant water bug affects tarantula spawn rates, requiring strategy adjustments for farming
- Fleas require spotting itchy villagers – listen for dialogue and watch for jumping animations
- Madagascan sunset moth and other daytime flyers offer new daylight hunting opportunities
- Snapping turtle (5,000 bells) and Atlas moth (3,000 bells) are the month’s highest-value catches
April brings significant changes to your island’s wildlife ecosystem in Animal Crossing: New Horizons. This transitional month introduces fresh catching opportunities while signaling the departure of certain species, making strategic planning essential for completionists.
The seasonal rotation affects both hemispheres differently, with Northern players gaining the most new content while Southern Hemisphere residents see more limited additions. Understanding these patterns helps maximize your Critterpedia completion and museum donations.
Critical timing note: April represents your final opportunity to catch tarantulas in the Northern Hemisphere before they disappear in May. This makes efficient farming crucial if you still need this valuable arachnid for your collection or income generation.
Northern Hemisphere anglers have ten new aquatic species to pursue this month, ranging from common pond dwellers to valuable ocean catches. Each requires specific timing and location knowledge to maximize your catching efficiency.
| New April Fish | Time | Location | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Butterfly Fish | All day | Ocean | 1,000 |
| Clownfish | All day | Ocean | 650 |
| Crawfish | All day | Pond | 200 |
| Guppy | 9 AM – 4 PM | River | 1,300 |
| Killifish | All day | Pond | 200 |
| Neon Tetra | 9 AM – 4 PM | River | 500 |
| Sea Horse | All day | Ocean | 1,100 |
| Snapping Turtle | 9 PM – 4 AM | River | 5,000 |
| Surgeonfish | All day | Ocean | 1,000 |
| Zebra Turkeyfish | All day | Ocean | 500 |
Pro fishing tip: The snapping turtle represents your most valuable new fish at 5,000 bells, but requires late-night fishing in rivers. Use fish bait to increase spawn rates during these limited hours rather than waiting for natural appearances.
Insect enthusiasts have nine new species to discover, including several high-value butterflies and moths alongside more common ground-dwelling insects. Each exhibits unique behavioral patterns affecting capture difficulty.
| New April Bugs | Time | Location | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agrias Butterfly | 8 AM – 5 PM | Flying | 3,000 |
| Atlas Moth | 7 PM – 4 AM | Tree | 3,000 |
| Common Bluebottle | 4 AM – 7 PM | Flying | 300 |
| Darner Dragonfly | 8 AM – 5 PM | Flying | 230 |
| Flea | All day | On a flea-infested villager | 70 |
| Giant Water Bug | 7 PM – 8 AM | Rivers and ponds | 2,000 |
| Jewel Beetle | All day | Tree stumps | 2,400 |
| Long Locust | 8 AM – 7 PM | Ground | 200 |
| Madagascan Sunset Moth | 8 AM – 4 PM | Flying | 2,500 |
| Rajah Brooke’s Birdwing | 8 AM – 5 PM | Flying | 2,500 |
Advanced bug catching: The giant water bug’s introduction significantly impacts tarantula farming on mystery islands. These aquatic insects now compete for spawn slots in freshwater areas, reducing tarantula appearance rates. Adjust your farming strategy by eliminating all freshwater sources or focusing on bamboo islands without rivers.
Flea capture requires careful villager observation – listen for dialogue about itching and watch for small jumping specks around their heads. Approach slowly with net equipped to avoid scaring them away.
Southern Hemisphere players experience more modest additions this month, with only two new fish and one additional bug species appearing. This reflects the different seasonal progression between hemispheres.
| New April Fish | Time | Location | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dab | All day | Ocean | 300 |
| Yellow Perch | All day | River | 300 |
| New April Bugs | Time | Location | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ladybug | 8 AM – 5 PM | Flowers | 200 |
Regional strategy: Southern players should focus on completing their existing collections while efficiently adding these limited new species. The ladybug’s flower-based spawning makes creating dedicated flower gardens an effective capture strategy.
Mastering April’s new wildlife requires understanding spawn mechanics and optimization techniques. Common mistakes include overlooking time-specific species and inefficient resource allocation.
Tarantula farming adjustment: With giant water bugs now spawning in freshwater areas, your tarantula island creation methods need refinement. Focus on islands without rivers or ponds, or systematically catch and release water bugs to clear spawn slots. This process adds 10-15 minutes to typical farming sessions but maintains profitability.
Villager interaction optimization: Fleas represent one of the game’s most unique capture mechanics. Increase your chances by talking to villagers frequently – they’ll mention itching when infested. Keep your net equipped during conversations for immediate capture opportunities.
For comprehensive Animal Crossing strategy guidance, our Complete Guide covers essential gameplay mechanics beyond creature collection.
Time management: Plan your sessions around high-value targets. The snapping turtle (9 PM-4 AM) and Atlas moth (7 PM-4 AM) overlap in availability, making evening play sessions particularly productive for bell earning.
If you’re optimizing your equipment loadouts, check our Weapons Unlock guide for parallel strategies in other games.
Action Checklist
- Catch Northern tarantulas before May departure – focus on mystery island farming
- Prioritize snapping turtle (9 PM-4 AM, rivers) for 5,000 bell value
- Adjust tarantula farming for giant water bug competition
- Monitor villagers for flea infestations – listen for itching dialogue
- Complete new butterfly/moth collection during daylight hours
- Donate all new species to Blathers for museum completion
No reproduction without permission:SeeYouSoon Game Club » April Fish And Bugs To Catch In Animal Crossing: New Horizons Complete guide to April's new fish and bugs in Animal Crossing: New Horizons with expert catching strategies
