Mass Effect: How To Keep Shepard’s Fish Alive

Arguably one of the most iconic features in the Mass Effect trilogy is the ability for players to collect pet fish. Starting in Mass Effect 2, Shepard’s cabin in the Normandy has an aquarium on the wall that can store various different species of fish, and players can interact with them by feeding them every so often. Just like real fish, however, they have a tendency to die if they’re ignored for too long – which means it can be difficult to keep them alive throughout both ME2 and ME3.

In order for Shepard’s fish to survive Mass Effect 2, they have to be fed after the completion of every single ME2 mission or assignment. Given how many side quests there are to be found, the mechanic often goes forgotten, especially as players begin to prioritize completing loyalty missions in preparation for the ending of the game. Although fish can be re-purchased after they die, many don’t consider it worthwhile to do so, preferring instead to spend credits on more valuable items like weapons and armor sets.

Fortunately, there are a few ways to make the task a little easier to manage. Mass Effect 3 introduces various valuable items to the series, and among them is an Aquarium VI item that can be purchased for the hefty price of around 25,000 credits and will automatically maintain Shepard’s aquarium. No such item exists in Mass Effect 2, however, meaning that players will instead have to turn to crew member Kelly Chambers in order to help keep their fish fed. As it happens, Kelly is also the only way to import Shepard’s original fish from ME2 into ME3.

Mass Effect 2’s Kelly Romance Makes Feeding Fish Easier

Kelly is introduced as a potential romance candidate for both male or female Shepard in Mass Effect 2, and players are given new opportunities to flirt with her after each new crewmate is added to the Normandy. After enough progress has been made in the relationship, the option appears to invite her to dinner, after which she’ll make the offer to look after Shepard’s fish. From this point on, Shepard’s fish will automatically remain fed and won’t have to be checked up on after every mission or assignment.

Kelly will also look after Shepard’s fish during the months between the second and third games, and provided she survives ME2‘s suicide mission, the fish can be reclaimed from her when players encounter her on the Citadel in ME3. For fish collectors in Mass Effect, this is notably the only way to obtain the Prejek Paddlefish, which can’t be purchased in ME3 otherwise and offers a 10% bonus to damage if successfully imported through a New Game+ playthrough. For those who are serious about keeping their fish alive through the whole Mass Effect series, this is a sound alternative to simply leaving memos around as a reminder.

About The Author

Ky Shinkle
(526 Articles Published)

Ky Shinkle is a Senior Gaming Features Writer for Screen Rant as well as an overall avid gamer and writer. Her prior experience is primarily that of a narrative designer for video games, although her writing has covered all formats from screenplays and novels to stage scripts. A graduate of the Savannah College of Art and Design, when she isn’t writing she works on digital media projects and other types of fiction writing. Ky currently works out of Ohio and enjoys spending her free time either playing RPGs or running with her dog.

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