The Baby Pond Emperor is one of the most elusive and valuable new secret fish added in the FISCH! 1.20.0 update. Catching it is a true test of a player’s patience and preparation, thanks to its incredibly low spawn rate and unique conditions.
This guide provides all the confirmed, factual information you need to find and catch this rare fish.
Baby Pond Emperor Location: Snowcap Pond
The Baby Pond Emperor has only one known spawn location. You will not find it anywhere else.
Specific Location: Snowcap Pond
How to Get There: To reach this area, you must first summon your boat from any dock. Sail to Snowcap Island. Once on the island, navigate to the small, frozen pond where this exclusive fish can be caught.
Required Conditions and Bait
You cannot catch the Baby Pond Emperor by chance. You must meet specific prerequisites.
Bait: You must use Squid Bait. No other bait will work.
Season: The fish only appears during the Winter season.
Weather: It can only be caught during Clear weather conditions.
Time of Day: Unlike some fish, the Baby Pond Emperor can be caught at any time of day (Day or Night), as long as the season and weather conditions are met.
Spawn Rate and Patience
This is the biggest challenge for players. The Baby Pond Emperor is notoriously rare.
Spawn Rate: The spawn chance is approximately 1 in 600 per cast.
What This Means: You must be prepared for a long fishing session. It is normal to require hundreds of casts before the fish even bites. Come prepared with a large stock of Squid Bait.
How to Catch It: The Minigame
When you finally hook the Baby Pond Emperor, the challenge is not over. As a “Secret” fish, it features a unique and difficult catching minigame.
Visual & Audio Cues: Upon being hooked, you will see a sparkle sound effect and a special icon will appear above your character’s head.
Behavior: The fish will cause the fishing bar to move in an erratic and unpredictable pattern, making it hard to track.
The Main Challenge: The most significant hurdle is an 80% reduction in progress speed. This means the progress bar fills up very slowly, requiring you to keep the fish centered for a much longer period without letting it escape.
Baby Pond Emperor Stats and Value
Once caught, the Baby Pond Emperor is a valuable prize.
Weight Range: 0.5 kg – 4.2 kg
Value: Sells for 2,500 C$ per kilogram. With an average weight of around 1.25 kg, its average value is approximately 3,125 C$.
Experience: Grants a base of 100 XP upon catch.
FAQ
Q: Can I use any bait other than Squid Bait?
A: No. The Baby Pond Emperor will only bite if you are using Squid Bait.
Q: What is the best way to farm for it?
A: The most efficient method is to wait for a clear day in Winter, stock up on hundreds of Squid Bait, and make repeated casts at Snowcap Pond. Patience is key.
Q: Is it related to the regular Pond Emperor?
A: Yes, the Baby Pond Emperor is a smaller, rarer variant of the Pond Emperor. It is visually distinct, featuring pixel-art style “crying eyes.”
Q: Why is the progress bar so slow when I hook it?
A: This is an intentional game mechanic for secret fish. The Baby Pond Emperor applies an 80% slowdown to the progress bar, making the minigame significantly harder.
Conclusion
Catching the Baby Pond Emperor in FISCH is a prestigious achievement reserved for dedicated anglers. To succeed, you must travel to Snowcap Pond in Winter during clear weather, use Squid Bait, and be prepared for a grueling grind due to the 1 in 600 spawn rate. When you finally hook it, be ready for a tough minigame featuring erratic movement and a severe 80% progress slowdown. The reward, however, is a valuable and unique fish that is a trophy for any collection.