List Of New Sea Creatures In Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Animal Crossing: New Horizons transformed island life with the summer update, introducing a completely new aquatic dimension through swimming and diving mechanics. This expansion added 40 unique sea creatures to discover, each with distinct behaviors, seasonal patterns, and economic value that can significantly enhance your gameplay experience.

Before embarking on underwater adventures, you’ll need proper equipment. The wet suit is essential gear available from Nook’s Cranny or the Nook Shopping catalog. Equip it like any other clothing item, then approach the ocean and press A to enter the water. Once swimming, press Y to dive beneath the surface where the real treasure hunting begins.

Sea creatures reveal themselves through two primary indicators: bubble columns rising to the water’s surface and dark shadows visible when submerged. These visual cues vary significantly between species, with bubble patterns and shadow sizes providing crucial clues about what lies below.

Diving and chasing a shadow under the water.

Underwater navigation requires mastering movement patterns. Some creatures remain stationary while others move rapidly, requiring pursuit strategies. Fast-moving shadows typically indicate higher-value specimens, making the chase worthwhile for dedicated collectors and bell-seekers alike.

Seasoned divers quickly learn that not all sea creatures behave the same way. Understanding these behavioral patterns dramatically increases your catch efficiency and reduces frustration during underwater expeditions.

Shadow chasing requires specific techniques for optimal results. When pursuing fast-moving creatures, position yourself slightly ahead of their path rather than directly above. This interception method allows you to dive at the optimal moment when the creature passes beneath you.

Common mistakes include diving too early, which scares creatures away, or swimming too aggressively near bubble columns. Experienced divers approach cautiously, observing movement patterns before committing to a dive.

Time management is crucial for efficient diving sessions. Many valuable creatures have specific active hours, with some only appearing during nighttime or early morning. Planning your dives around these schedules ensures you encounter the most profitable specimens.

Advanced players optimize their routes by swimming along the perimeter of their island first, then crisscrossing through central ocean areas. This systematic approach minimizes missed opportunities and maximizes bell-earning potential per session.

Beyond standard sea creatures, the ocean hides two particularly valuable resources: pearls and scallops. Pearls serve as rare crafting materials essential for creating mermaid-themed furniture, while scallops trigger special encounters with Pascal the philosophical sea otter.

Scallops appear randomly while diving and serve multiple purposes. When you catch your first scallop of the day, Pascal has a chance to appear, floating leisurely on his back. He’ll offer to trade your scallop for exclusive mermaid-themed DIY recipes or clothing items unavailable through any other method.

Pearls represent the underwater world’s ultimate treasure, appearing with approximately 1-2% frequency during dives. Unlike other sea creatures, pearls don’t appear as shadows but as small, glimmering items on the ocean floor. Their extreme rarity makes them worth hoarding for crafting the most valuable mermaid set items.

Optimization tip: Always carry a spare scallop in your inventory after trading with Pascal, as this increases the likelihood of subsequent encounters throughout the day.

Don’t forget museum donations! While Pascal trades are tempting, remember to donate at least one scallop to Blathers for completion of your aquatic exhibits. The museum’s sea creature wing becomes particularly impressive when fully stocked with these rare finds.

This comprehensive table details all 40 sea creatures available in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, including their seasonal availability across hemispheres, active time windows, and market values. Use this reference to plan targeted diving sessions for maximum efficiency and profit.

Unlike fish and bugs that have dedicated premium buyers (C.J. and Flick respectively), sea creatures lack a specialized NPC offering increased prices. However, high-value specimens like the Spider Crab (12,000 bells) and Gigas Giant Clam (15,000 bells) provide substantial income opportunities. For comprehensive gameplay strategies, explore our Complete Guide to maximize your overall gaming experience.

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