Chillquarium is a one man idle aquarium from Ben Reber, released 6 September 2023 and usually priced under six dollars. You buy booster packs of fish, drop them in a tank, and they grow on a wall clock whether the game is running or not. Grown fish either get sold for a lump sum or kept so they pay daily ticket money forever. There are 156 species across six packs, and each one can roll Painted, Golden or Rainbow colour variants behind long odds. Steam sits near 93 percent positive across more than 5,000 reviews, which tells you this is a screensaver you occasionally click rather than a game with a fail state.
Choosing the right build shapes your entire experience. This guide breaks down every option: what they're good at, what they struggle with, and which one matches your playstyle. For optimized builds with full gear sets, see our builds guide.
Quick Comparison
| Build | Tier | Playstyle | Best Equipment | Beginner Friendly? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Common | A | Balanced | Freshwater Friends pack | Yes |
| Rare | A | Balanced | Rivers and Ponds pack | Yes |
| Epic | A | Balanced | Reef Fellas pack | Yes |
| Legendary | A | Balanced | Marine Dwellers pack | Yes |
| Mythic | A | Balanced | Giants pack | Yes |
New player? Start with Rare. See our beginner's guide for why.
Common
Common is a strong option in Chillquarium.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Freshwater Friends pack |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Real time fish growth |
Strengths
- Highest overall performance across all content types
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Freshwater Friends pack
Weaknesses
- Popular choice, competition for resources
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in Starter Freshwater Tank to learn Common-specific mechanics
- Focus on Real time fish growth. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Freshwater Friends pack as your first major upgrade
- See our full Common build guide for the optimal gear progression
Rare
Rare is a strong option in Chillquarium.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Rivers and Ponds pack |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Booster pack odds |
Strengths
- Most versatile, adapts to any situation
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Rivers and Ponds pack
Weaknesses
- Lower peak damage than S-tier options
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in Starter Freshwater Tank to learn Rare-specific mechanics
- Focus on Booster pack odds. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Rivers and Ponds pack as your first major upgrade
- See our full Rare build guide for the optimal gear progression
Epic
Epic is a strong option in Chillquarium.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Reef Fellas pack |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Painted, Golden and Rainbow variants |
Strengths
- Best survivability for learning hard content
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Reef Fellas pack
Weaknesses
- Slower progression speed
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in Starter Freshwater Tank to learn Epic-specific mechanics
- Focus on Painted, Golden and Rainbow variants. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Reef Fellas pack as your first major upgrade
- See our full Epic build guide for the optimal gear progression
Legendary
Legendary is a strong option in Chillquarium.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Marine Dwellers pack |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Ticket income versus selling |
Strengths
- Excellent in group and cooperative content
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Marine Dwellers pack
Weaknesses
- Less effective solo
- Requires deep game knowledge to use effectively
Recommended Progression
- Start in Starter Freshwater Tank to learn Legendary-specific mechanics
- Focus on Ticket income versus selling. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Marine Dwellers pack as your first major upgrade
- See our full Legendary build guide for the optimal gear progression
Mythic
Mythic is a strong option in Chillquarium.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Giants pack |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Tank capacity upgrades |
Strengths
- Highest skill ceiling with unique mechanics
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Giants pack
Weaknesses
- Steep learning curve, punishing mistakes
- Requires deep game knowledge to use effectively
Recommended Progression
- Start in Starter Freshwater Tank to learn Mythic-specific mechanics
- Focus on Tank capacity upgrades. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Giants pack as your first major upgrade
- See our full Mythic build guide for the optimal gear progression
Which Build Should You Pick?
For Beginners
Rare is the clear winner. It's forgiving, teaches core mechanics, and remains competitive into endgame. Follow our beginner's guide for the best first-session experience.
For Maximum Performance
Common is the top pick once you understand the game's mechanics. Pair it with Freshwater Friends pack for the strongest overall setup.
For a Challenge
Mythic offers the highest skill ceiling. It's punishing when misplayed but incredibly rewarding when mastered. Only recommended after you've completed the game with another build.
For Group Play
Legendary shines in cooperative content with utility and team support capabilities.
More Chillquarium Guides
- Chillquarium Chillquarium Overview
- Chillquarium Best Builds
- Chillquarium Tier List
- Chillquarium Walkthrough
- Chillquarium Beginner's Guide
- Chillquarium Tips & Tricks
- Chillquarium Weapons Guide
- Chillquarium Combat Guide
- Chillquarium Boss Guide
- Chillquarium Maps & Locations
- Chillquarium Crafting Guide
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