Desktop Fishes

I would not recommend this idler. Whenever I open up other games that I want to play with controller, it would just not respond. Also, the time is saved locally so when you have to reformat your PC, all that time lost. I upgraded my PC at the time and lost ~160 hours.

Спасибо вам большое разработчик игры рыбок! Купил данную игру и мне она понравилась! Пускай рыбки плавают на моём мониторе на них приятно смотреть. Я давно хотел что-нибудь такое и нашёл!

挂时长一千小时了不给成就，而且出现了除水草外其他任何东西不显示的BUG，向官方反馈也没有回应；这游戏不建议大家买，根本没有售后的，以后这个游戏厂商的游戏不会买了，估计这个游戏也是制作组卖了就不会管的款式

Desktop Fishes is an idle desktop companion experience developed by Daniel Santalla and published by Daniel Santalla together with Gamersky Games, offering a peaceful blend of aquarium simulation and lightweight progression systems designed to exist quietly alongside everyday computer use. Instead of demanding full attention through objectives, missions, or complex gameplay loops, the game focuses on creating a calming digital environment where small aquatic companions slowly grow and evolve while players continue with work, entertainment, or browsing sessions. The idea may initially sound simple, but Desktop Fishes builds surprising charm through its relaxing atmosphere and gradual progression. At its heart, Desktop Fishes transforms part of a computer screen into a miniature ecosystem filled with animated fish that live directly on the desktop. Rather than existing inside a separate window that demands focus, the aquarium becomes integrated into daily routines. Fish swim naturally over applications or behind active windows depending on user preference, creating the impression of a small living world quietly existing alongside everything else taking place on the computer. The game immediately embraces a slower pace than traditional management simulations. Progress unfolds gradually, encouraging players to check in periodically rather than constantly supervise every detail. Fish begin life as eggs before eventually hatching and growing over time. Watching that process unfold becomes surprisingly rewarding despite its simplicity. The slower development cycle strengthens attachment because progression feels earned through patience rather than accelerated through endless interaction. Collection systems form an important part of long-term engagement. Fish come with different visual characteristics and can produce offspring that inherit traits from previous generations. Genetic variation introduces unpredictability into progression, creating opportunities to discover increasingly unusual combinations. Some fish display subtle differences while others develop more distinctive appearances that encourage continued experimentation. This breeding system gives Desktop Fishes far greater longevity than a simple decorative desktop application might initially suggest. Expanding the aquarium becomes less about obtaining larger numbers of fish and more about discovering increasingly rare combinations and gradually building a collection that feels uniquely personal. Over time, the aquarium evolves into something reflecting individual choices rather than a fixed experience shared identically by everyone. Customization strengthens that sense of ownership further. Fish accessories and cosmetic additions allow players to personalize aquatic companions with smaller visual touches that increase personality across the aquarium. These additions remain lighthearted and playful without overwhelming the calmer atmosphere the game aims to maintain. Small visual details help individual fish stand apart while making the collection itself feel more alive. Progression extends beyond breeding and collection through upgrade systems designed to gradually expand available features. Unlockable improvements create small goals that encourage long-term investment while helping the aquarium slowly become more complex over time. Rather than overwhelming players with extensive management mechanics immediately, Desktop Fishes introduces features carefully to preserve its relaxed pacing. Environmental upkeep introduces additional interaction without disrupting the idle nature of the experience. Players occasionally maintain elements of the aquarium ecosystem while fish themselves contribute to sustaining balance inside their aquatic environment. These small interactions reinforce the impression of managing a functioning habitat rather than observing simple animated decorations. An in-game merchant system adds another layer of progression through collectible additions and aquarium improvements. Various items become available over time, creating reasons to continue expanding and customizing the experience. Food options, decorative additions, and smaller upgrades contribute additional variety while preventing progression from feeling overly static. Visually, Desktop Fishes relies heavily on pixel-art presentation that perfectly complements its cozy identity. Fish animations remain expressive and charming without becoming distracting. The pixel aesthetic creates warmth that fits naturally with the slower atmosphere while helping the aquarium stand apart from more realistic simulation approaches. The movement of fish across the screen creates subtle life without overwhelming active desktop space. The flexibility of display options also deserves recognition. Players can adjust how the aquarium integrates with their workspace depending on preference. Fish can appear more prominently or function quietly in the background, allowing the experience to adapt naturally to different routines and screen arrangements. The result feels less like launching a separate game and more like introducing a personalized ambient feature into everyday computer use. Desktop Fishes succeeds largely because it understands exactly what type of experience it wants to deliver. It avoids unnecessary complexity and focuses entirely on creating something relaxing, charming, and easy to incorporate into ordinary routines. The aquarium grows slowly alongside everyday activity, rewarding patience and consistency rather than demanding constant engagement. Its quieter approach may not appeal equally to every player. Those seeking heavy management systems or highly active gameplay may eventually find the slower pacing limited. Desktop Fishes intentionally prioritizes atmosphere and long-term comfort over constant stimulation. However, that deliberate design choice becomes one of its greatest strengths rather than a weakness. Daniel Santalla creates an experience built around simple pleasures. Watching fish grow, discovering new variations, customizing companions, and gradually building a peaceful digital aquarium creates a surprisingly comforting routine over time. Desktop Fishes turns desktop decoration into something interactive and personal without sacrificing convenience or accessibility. For players looking for a relaxing idle companion capable of adding personality and warmth to everyday computer sessions, Desktop Fishes delivers an experience that remains calming, charming, and quietly satisfying long after the first fish begins swimming across the screen. Rating: 8/10

an achievement for having it open for 500 and then 1000 hours is not so prime to me. if it wasn't for the humble bundle i wouldn't have gotten this, as it costs a bit much for what you get

反应了很多bug根本就不修！！！！跟死了一样的。升级降低商店刷新价格后反而扣的更多了，反应了很多次根本没人理

This game is priced like a finished product, but it feels like a half-finished Early Access title. It costs about the same as Tiny Aquarium, yet it offers far less content and polish. The last update was on November 15, 2025, and there are still major issues. Performance is poorly optimized for an idle game. Even when it's running normally, it uses far more system resources than a game of this type should. I also ran into bugs, including the shop displaying nonexistent items. Some design choices are frustrating. Hidden fish aren't actually removed, they just become invisible and still overlap with visible fish. Removing fish means poisoning them instead of selling, donating, or moving them to another tank. I collected every fish species and still couldn't complete the skill tree. I can't tell if that's a bug, poor balancing, or some hidden mechanic, but it doesn't feel right. The snails are supposed to automate harvesting, but they sleep so often that harvesting manually is faster. The achievements also make no sense. After about 20 hours I had unlocked everything and bought every item in the shop, yet there are achievements for spending 100,000 coins and playing 1,000 hours with nothing meaningful left to do. Better optimization, multiple aquariums, the ability to sell or donate fish instead of poisoning them, and more meaningful late-game progression would make a huge difference. The game also needs more things to spend money on, like fish food that boosts algae growth, fertilizer, or other useful consumables that keep the economy relevant after you've unlocked everything. Right now it feels unfinished and overpriced. Until those issues are addressed, I can't recommend it in its current state or justify its current price.