TL;DR
- May introduces 13 new fish and 11 new bugs across both hemispheres with varying availability times
- Northern Hemisphere players can catch premium pier fish like Mahi-Mahi while Southern Hemisphere gets exclusive species like Blue Marlin
- New series debuts include Rosalia Batesi Beetle and Damselfly with specific habitat requirements
- Strategic planning around time windows and locations is crucial for completing your Critterpedia
- Seasonal transitions mean this is your last chance to catch April species before they disappear
As the seasons transition in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, May brings significant changes to your island’s biodiversity with fresh opportunities for dedicated collectors. The game’s dynamic ecosystem features 160 unique creatures across aquatic, terrestrial, and aerial environments, but their appearances are tightly controlled by seasonal patterns that rotate monthly.
This month offers dual benefits for players: you can add brand-new seasonal specimens to your museum exhibits and Critterpedia while also having a final opportunity to capture creatures that will vanish when June arrives. Hemisphere selection dramatically impacts availability, with Northern and Southern islands experiencing completely different creature rotations that mirror real-world seasonal patterns.
For comprehensive creature tracking, we maintain detailed catalogs of all 80 fish species with precise shadow size indicators and comprehensive guides for all 80 bugs, including specialized techniques for locating the most elusive specimens.
Northern Hemisphere islands welcome several high-value newcomers this month, with pricing organization helping prioritize your collection efforts. Completionists should note that capturing every species is essential for comprehensive museum development.
May introduces exciting new additions to the Animal Crossing franchise, including the vibrantly colored betta fish, the challenging mahi-mahi, and the dazzling rainbowfish. Each requires specific conditions and timing for successful capture.
The Rosalia Batesi Beetle marks its series debut exclusively in New Horizons. This striking blue beetle with distinctive black markings exclusively inhabits tree stumps, making proper island forestry management crucial for encounter opportunities.
Damselfly also makes its first series appearance in New Horizons. For Southern Hemisphere players, this insect represents the sole dragonfly variant accessible during this seasonal period.
| New May Fish | Price | Location / Size | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mahi-Mahi | 6000 | Pier / 5 | All day |
| Giant Trevally | 4500 | Pier / 5 | All day |
| Angelfish | 3000 | River / 2 | 4 PM – 9 AM |
| Betta | 2500 | River / 2 | 9 AM – 4 PM |
| Nibble Fish | 1500 | River / 1 | 9 AM – 4 PM |
| Catfish | 800 | Pond / 4 | 4 PM – 9 AM |
| Rainbowfish | 800 | River / 1 | 9 AM – 4 PM |
| Frog | 120 | Pond / 2 | All day |
| New May Bugs | Price | Location | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scorpion | 8000 | Ground | 7 PM – 4 AM |
| Banded Dragonflly | 4500 | Flying | 8 AM – 5 PM |
| Queen Alexandra’s Birdwing | 4000 | Flying near flowers | 8 AM – 4 PM |
| Great Purple Emperor | 3000 | Flying near flowers | 4 AM – 7 PM |
| Rosalia Batesi Beetle | 3000 | Tree stumps | All day |
| Diving Beetle | 800 | River/pond (surface) | 8 AM – 7 PM |
| Violin Beetle | 450 | Tree stumps | All day |
| Pondskater | 130 | River/pond (surface) | 8 AM – 7 PM |
Southern Hemisphere islands experience completely different seasonal rotations, featuring exclusive species not available in northern territories. These unique catches present special opportunities for museum completion and profitable fishing expeditions.
The premium pier fish category offers substantial bell rewards for dedicated anglers. Strategic timing and location preparation significantly increase capture success rates for these valuable specimens.
| New May Fish | Price | Location / Size | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Marlin | 10000 | Pier / 6 | All day |
| Tuna | 7000 | Pier / 6 | All day |
| Blowfish | 5000 | Sea / 3 | 9 PM – 4 AM |
| Football Fish | 2500 | Sea / 4 | 4 PM – 9 AM |
| Bitterling | 900 | River / 1 | All day |
| New May Bugs | Price | Location | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tarantula | 8000 | Ground | 7 PM – 4 AM |
| Damselfly | 500 | Flying | All day |
| Mole Cricket | 500 | Underground | All day |
Maximizing your May collection requires strategic planning around several key factors. Premium fish like the Mahi-Mahi and Blue Marlin require pier construction and specific shadow sizes, while high-value insects often have narrow time windows and specific environmental requirements.
Common mistakes to avoid: Many players overlook the importance of maintaining tree stumps for beetle spawning or fail to account for the precise timing requirements of nocturnal species. Preparing your island environment in advance significantly increases encounter rates.
For completionists, focus on the time-sensitive species first, particularly those with limited active hours. The 4 PM – 9 AM window for angelfish and catfish requires planning, while scorpions and tarantulas demand careful nighttime approaches to avoid being stunned.
Advanced players should optimize their routes by combining fishing and bug catching activities in adjacent locations. River and pond surfaces can yield both diving beetles and pondskaters simultaneously during daylight hours.
If you’re looking to expand your Animal Crossing knowledge beyond seasonal creatures, our Complete Guide offers comprehensive gameplay insights, while specialized resources like our Weapons Unlock guide and Class Guide provide targeted assistance for specific game aspects.
Action Checklist
- Check your hemisphere setting and prioritize time-sensitive species with narrow availability windows
- Prepare your island environment by maintaining tree stumps and flower patches for beetle and butterfly spawning
- Focus on high-value pier fish during all-day availability periods
- Schedule evening sessions for scorpion/tarantula hunting with proper caution
- Capture remaining April species before they disappear at month’s end
No reproduction without permission:SeeYouSoon Game Club » New Fish And Bugs To Catch In Animal Crossing: New Horizons (May 2020) Complete guide to May's new fish and bugs in Animal Crossing: New Horizons with seasonal strategies
