Best Fish For Fish Ponds In Stardew Valley

There’s a lot that players can do in Stardew Valley in addition to growing crops. Not only can players develop their Fishing skill to reel in the bounties of the ocean and rivers, but they can even raise fish on their farms. To do so, players can purchase Fish Ponds from Robin, the local carpenter. Each pond costs 5,000 gold and requires 200 Stones, 5 Seaweed, and 5 Green Algae to build.

By placing a fish in a pond, players can allow fish to reproduce, giving them a near-infinite supply of that particular species. Populated Fish Ponds can also produce Roe, as well as other items based on the type of fish they contain. The wide variety of additional items can make it challenging for players to determine the best fish for their ponds, as they may want to know which species will be the most lucrative. To simplify things for all Stardew Valley farmers, these are the best fish for Fish Ponds in Stardew Valley, based on the items they produce, how easy the fish are to obtain, and how practical it is to grow a pond’s population.

Updated April 2, 2025, by Mohsen Baquery: Stardew Valley 1.6 didn’t add any new fish species, but it did introduce some new items like the Golden Animal Crackers, Bait Maker, Fish Smoker, and Challenge Bait that transformed fishing. Fish ponds, on the other hand, have pretty much remained the same, though more players are looking to utilize them as passive income sources. To help these profit-seeking fans, this list has been revised to include more options for a fish pond, along with additional information about each candidate to help players make up their minds.

Updated September 10, 2025, by Demaris Oxman: With Stardew Valley coming to Playstation Plus this month, many gamers are returning to this cozy farming sim, or perhaps even picking it up for the first time. Those who find themselves enjoying the game’s fishing mechanics might find themselves building fish ponds to turn their farm into a hatchery of sorts, cultivating Aged Roe and Caviar. For players who want to make the most out of fish ponds, this list has been updated with more information on the game’s best fish, where to catch them, and how to grow their populations.

Stonefish

Best Item: Diamond

The Stonefish is a relatively rare creature that can be caught on Floor 20 of the mines. When a Stonefish pond reaches maximum capacity, it has a chance to produce a Diamond, one of the most valuable gemstones in the game.

The other items that the Stonefish produces (which are much more frequent) are less valuable, though, and most are easy to find through mining. Still, for players dedicated to cultivating different types of fish on their farms, it can be a good choice for those who have space for an extra pond.

Population Quests

Sea Cucumber

Best Item: Lucky Lunch

• Reproduction: 2 Days
• Base Price: 75g

Sea Cucumber might not be the first choice that comes to mind when considering the best fish for a pond in Stardew Valley. However, this deep-sea creature comes with a side product that should not be overlooked: the cooking recipe Lucky Lunch. Using one Sea Cucumber, a Tortilla, and a Blue Jazz, the player can cook a satisfying meal capable of boosting Luck by three points. Players can catch this deep-sea creature in the Ocean before 7pm during Fall or Winter, or in the Night Market submarine.

For veteran players, Super Cucumber would be a better option. Although quite rare to obtain, Super Cucumber has a small chance of producing Iridium Roe in the pond, which adds to its overall value. (The daily chance of getting an Iridium Roe from a Super Cucumber pond is about 5%, which is not that bad compared with other rare items’ drop rates.) Catch the Super Cucumber in the ocean after 6pm in any season except Spring, or anytime during the Night Market.

Sea Cucumber Items:

Super Cucumber Items:

Population Quests

Once a fish pond’s population reaches a certain number, the fish will request a specific item to increase the pond’s maximum capacity. Each fish varies with regard to when this quest occurs, as well as the items they might ask for. If players are raising Sea Cucumbers, they can expect the fish to ask for one of the following items at the following milestones:

For Super Cucumbers, these are the possible requests:

Stingray

Best Item: Dragon Tooth

• Reproduction: 4 Days
• Base Price: 180g

Most players use Stingray fish ponds to harvest Roe and Cinder Shards. While both these items are quite practical to have on the farm, Stingrays can also produce Dragon Tooth, which is one of the rarest items in the game. Every day, a Stingray fish pond has up to a 5% chance of dropping a Dragon Tooth, which the player can use to craft unique items like Warp Totem: Island and Mini-Forge, as well as the Island Obelisk.

Stingrays are not necessarily the best moneymaking fish. But for a veteran player with enough space to hold a couple of spare ponds, they’re a cost-effective, low-risk way of obtaining some rare materials without having to leave the farm. Catch one in the Pirate Cove on Ginger Island.

Population Quests

Squid or Midnight Squid

Best Item: Squid Ink

• Reproduction: 3 Days
• Base Price: 80g to 100g

Squids are a great addition to a fisherman’s pond due to their high drop rates of Squid Ink. While Squid Ink isn’t worth much when sold, it’s essential for crafting Seafoam Pudding. This cooked dish boosts the Fishing skill by +3, making it perfect for farming legendary fish. With ten Squids in the pond, players have up to a 69% chance to get Squid Ink per day.

Players can catch Squid after 6pm during Winter, or at any time of day during Squid Fest. The Midnight Squid can only be caught in the Submarine at the Night Market.

Population Quests

Squid:

The Midnight Squid’s first two population quests are the same, but it will also request an Ocean Stone when the pond’s population reaches 8.

Slimejack

Best Item: Slime Eggs

• Reproduction: Every 3 Days
• Base Price: 100g

While the Slimejack may not be the most lucrative choice for a fish pond, its ability to drop Slime Eggs makes it a reliable option. Players can either hatch these eggs into Slimes using a Slime Incubator or sell them immediately for 1,000 gold.

There is up to a 2% chance that a Slimejack pond with nine to ten fish will yield one Green Slime Egg per day. Players can catch this fish in the Mutant Bug Lair.

Population Quests

Lionfish

Best Item: Tiger Slime Egg

This tropical fish is another great choice for players who enjoy the Slime Hutch, since it has a small chance to produce the rare Tiger Slime Egg. When hatched in the Slime Incubator, these eggs will produce a Tiger Slime, the striped orange slimes found only on Ginger Island.

Lionfish ponds can also produce Taro Tubers, which players can grow into Taro Root. Like most fish, they can also produce Roe. Players can catch Lionfish in salt water on Ginger Island, in the Island West and South areas.

Population Quests

Spook Fish

Best Item: Treasure Chests

• Reproduction: Every 4 Days
• Base Price: 220g

Spook Fish can only be caught on the Submarine ride at the Night Market. For players who want to increase their chances of getting Treasure Chests, placing Spook Fish in a fish pond is the best option.

Treasure Chests can be sold for an impressive 5,000 gold, offering a fast way to boost your profits. However, obtaining these chests is rare, as each Spook fish pond has only a 0.4% chance of dropping one per day. More commonly, the pond yields Roe, which is significantly less profitable than Treasure Chests.

Population Quests

Blue Discus

Best Item: Golden Coconut

• Reproduction: Every 3 Days
• Base Price: 120g

The Blue Discus is a beautiful tropical fish found on Ginger Island. It can be caught in freshwater bodies on the Island’s North and West sides during any season. When placed in a fish pond on the farm, the Blue Discus reproduces every three days. Additionally, they drop items that can’t be found in Pelican Town — things like Bananas and golden Coconuts.

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Like most fish, the likeliest item a Blue Discus fish pond will yield is its exclusive Roe. Each day, there’s up to a 76% chance that the player will get this product. However, there’s also a 4% chance that the pond will produce a Golden Coconut, which is a relatively rare and valuable item. (Cracking Golden Coconuts can reward players with Golden Walnuts, Banana Saplings, Mango Saplings, Pineapple Seeds, Taro Tubers, Mahogany Seeds, Fossilized Skulls, Iridium Ores, and Golden Helmets.)

Population Quests

Ice Pip

Best Item: Diamond

• Reproduction: Every 5 Days
• Base Price: 500g

Ice Pips are a rare fish species that thrive in freezing conditions, meaning they can only be caught on Floor 60 in the Frozen Earth section of the Mines. When placed in a fish pond, Ice Pips reproduce every five days. They’re a valuable fish, with a base selling price of 500g, which can be doubled to 1,000g for iridium quality.

Lucky players may also receive free Diamonds by keeping this fish. When the pond’s population reaches nine or ten, there’s a 0.7% daily chance of getting one. However, it’s best not to rely on this item, as it is a relatively rare drop.

Population Quests

Rainbow Trout

Best Item: Prismatic Shard

• Reproduction: Every 2 Days
• Base Price: 56g

Found swimming in freshwater bodies around the Valley, the Rainbow Trout is one of the best fish to place in ponds on the farm in Stardew Valley. They can be caught in the River flowing through Pelican Town and Cindersap Forest and the Mountain Lake on sunny summer days. Rainbow Trout reproduce quickly (about every two days) when placed in a fish pond.

The most valuable item a Rainbow Trout pond can produce is the Prismatic Shard. However, like other rare drops, it is quite unlikely for the average player to obtain one. The chance of receiving a Prismatic Shard from this pond is just 0.09% per day, which translates to approximately a 10% chance per year.

Population Quests