Bitterling

The Bitterling is a relatively common fish found in all games of the. It can be found in the river all day during the months of November to March (May to September on Southern Hemisphere). It sells for 900 Bells, at Nook's Cranny.

Donating to the Museum
As with all fish in the, the Bitterling can be donated to the Museum by talking to Blathers, who will follow the donation up with a small talk.

''"Even run-of-the-mill, common fish are valuable resources, you see. All part of the grand tapestry, wot!

Blathers will say this as the fish is donated:

"I must say, I've never personally considered eating one of these before. It's so very...goldfishy... No, not particularly tasty-looking, to be sure..."

After donation, the Bitterling can be found in the front tank in the first room.

Blathers will say this when handed the small fish:

"It's quite common for enthusiasts to keep bitterlings in the same tank as tropical fish, eh wot? Indeed, once upon a time, this fish was a popular choice for the private fishing ponds of the rich!"

It can be found swimming around in the middle-left tank in the Aquarium after donation.

After donating the Bitterling, the following information will be displayed by its tank:

''These fish are so small, they can fit their entire body in the palm of your hand. During mating season, the male's belly turns a light orange in order to properly attract a mate. They live in rivers and lakes and deposit eggs in large bivalves where the eggs hatch and live for a while.''

The Bitterling can be found in the larger of the two left-hand tanks in the freshwater fish room.

Upon donation or selecting "Tell me more about this!", Blathers the curator will say:

"Bitterlings hide their eggs inside large bivalves—like clams—where the young can stay safe until grown. The bitterling isn't being sneaky. No, their young help keep the bivalve healthy by eating invading parasites! It's a wonderful bit of evolutionary deal making, don't you think? Each one keeping the other safe... Though eating parasites does not sound like a happy childhood... Is that why the fish is so bitter?"

Further Information
The Rhodeus sericeus, or "Bitterling" is a harmless fish that lives in ponds, lakes, marshes, muddy and sandy pools, as well as the backwaters of rivers. It feeds mainly on plant material, but has been known to feed on small insect larvae. The Bitterling lays its eggs in the mantle cavity of mussels. The bitterlings can be found in central and eastern Europe, and are often seen in public aquariums and can be bought for private aquariums. It is a low-risk fish (not under threat).