Fish Lab Full Walkthrough
A structured path from first dive through grants, swarms, and endgame modes.
This Fish Lab walkthrough is a spoiler-light route through the full Steam release. It assumes you want a guided spine rather than a discovery-only blind run. Pair it with Getting Started if you have not finished the tutorial loop, and keep the Guides Hub nearby for system deep dives.
Phase 0 — Orientation
Confirm you are on the latest build via Steam and skim the Updates Hub for demo-to-1.0 changes. Fish Lab launched September 14, 2026 after a May 2026 demo. Controllers work; mouse-and-beat remains the precision default for many players.
Goals for Phase 0:
- Hear the music and map cursor motion to the pulse
- Complete the onboarding prompts without skipping explanations
- Note where processing, upgrades, and tools live in the UI
Phase 1 — Establish the economy
Your only job is a stable collect → process → upgrade triangle.
Collect. Hover on the beat. Short, confident passes beat frantic scrubbing. When density rises, sweep with the pulse instead of chasing individuals — see How to Collect Fish.
Process. Never let raw catch sit unused if processing is available. Currency idle in the wrong bucket slows the tech tree.
Upgrade. Buy the cheapest nodes that improve catch windows, processing, or your first tools. Resist ornamental branches until the triangle is automatic. Ranked picks live on Upgrades Priority.
Checkpoint: you can play a few minutes without wondering what the next button is. Steam achievement First Dive typically aligns with this early competence.
Phase 2 — Tools come online
Tools multiply what the cursor starts. Unlock collection-facing tools, then open Power Allocation. Early on, over-power your best active tool rather than watering every slot equally. Revisit the Tools Tier List and Collection Tools when new options appear.
Watch for:
- Tools that shine in sparse aquariums versus dense swarms
- Power starvation when you unlock too many toys at once
- Moments where manual hover plus one strong tool outperforms three weak ones
Checkpoint: you can explain why your current power split exists. Achievement hunters may see progress toward Drone Fleet and related tool milestones here.
Phase 3 — Grants and lab identity
Grants are the walkthrough’s mid-boss. Stock resources, fulfill writing requirements, and claim big equipment jumps. Between grants, keep feeding the ordinary 200+ tech tree so you are not grant-gated and broke. Full systems text: Grants and Tech Tree.
During this phase the lab’s visual growth accelerates. If something “goes offline” or tanks confuse you, do not soft-reset immediately — read Tips and Tricks for community-documented quirks (tank purpose, duplicate tanks, traits, counters).
Checkpoint: at least one major grant completed; lab layout feels intentionally upgraded, not accidental.
Phase 4 — Swarm scaling
Density climbs toward the headline fantasy: enormous shader-driven schools. Your job shifts from “catch each fish” to “ride the system.”
Priorities:
- Keep processing scaled to intake
- Rebalance tool power for swarm tools
- Buy capacity and efficiency nodes that protect frame time and income
- Chase specimen- and depth-flavored goals that align with achievements like Leviathan, Specimen, Deeper Still, and Into the Abyss
If performance stutters, reduce load via options and close background GPU hogs. Fish Lab is artistic about excess; your hardware still has a ceiling.
Phase 5 — Publish, tenure, surface
Late walkthrough beats are about finishing the short campaign arc and mopping systems:
- Push remaining tech that still moves the needle
- Complete publication- and career-flavored goals (Published, Tenured, we are just getting started, Surfaced)
- Review Achievements & Rewards for the full ten-achievement list
- Unlock comfort modes once the main loop is understood
Phase 6 — Modes and mastery
With the spine done, branch:
- Sandbox for experimental layouts and spectacle
- Endless for marathon swarm optimization
- Zen for calm viewing — including the Windows screensaver install path
Mode details: Game Modes.
Suggested session plan
| Session | Focus |
|---|---|
| 1 | Beat mastery + economy triangle |
| 2 | Tools + first power plan |
| 3 | First grant + mid tech tree |
| 4 | Swarm scaling + performance |
| 5 | Achievements mop-up + modes |
Video companion
The embedded full playthrough video is a pacing reference, not a mandatory route. Pause when the videoist buys a branch you do not understand, then check the tier lists before copying spends. Wiki text wins over outdated commentary if a patch changed costs — verify on Updates.
When you feel stuck
- Is processing behind collection?
- Is power spread too thin across tools?
- Are you saving for a grant while starving basic nodes?
- Is a tank/UI misconception blocking you? → Tips and Tricks
- Did a patch change early curve? → Updates
Finish by skimming the Fish Lab Wiki overview and starring the Steam page plus Discord. The walkthrough ends when you can teach the loop to a friend in one minute — collect on the beat, process, upgrade, grant, reallocate power, and enjoy the swarm.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the most common questions.
Does this walkthrough spoil every unlock?
It stays spoiler-light on specific discoveries while sequencing systems. Use it as a spine, not a checklist of every node.
Should I watch the video or read first?
Either works. Reading first helps you notice systems the video assumes; watching first helps with pacing.
What if my lab looks different from the video?
Patches and mode choices change presentation. Trust current in-game costs and the Updates hub over older footage.