Source: Love Mac | Software download link: Megaquarium for Mac

《Megaquarium》is a themed simulation game centered on aquarium management and operation. On the Mac platform, it offers a complete and in-depth gaming experience. Players take on the role of an aquarium director, responsible for designing layouts, feeding fish, managing staff, satisfying visitor needs, and expanding the business. This guide will provide a detailed introduction to its interface, complete operation flow, and advanced tips to help you get started quickly and master the game.

I. Detailed Explanation of the Core Interface and Workspace

The main game interface is an information-dense management panel, which can be divided into the following main areas:

Top Information Bar: Displays current funds, reputation level, date, and time. This is the core area for monitoring the overall status of the aquarium.
Left Build/Management Panel: The core control area of the game. Switch between different menus via icon buttons or shortcut keys (see table below):
- Build Menu: Place aquariums, walls, floors, decorations, visitor facilities (such as trash cans, benches), equipment (filters, chillers), etc.
- Animal Menu: Purchase and view all fish and invertebrates available for breeding.
- Staff Menu: Hire, manage aquarists, cleaners, maintenance workers, and guides, and assign them tasks and equipment.
- Research Menu: Unlock new fish, equipment, and aquarium components in the research lab.
- Info Menu: View detailed data such as aquarium finances, animal status, visitor thoughts, and mission objectives.
Central Work Area: A top-down view of the aquarium where all construction, placement, observation, and interaction operations are completed via clicking and dragging.
Right-Side Context Information Panel: When any object (such as a tank, animal, staff member, or equipment) is selected, this area displays its detailed information, status, and available action buttons (such as feed, treat, move, sell).
Bottom Task/Objective Bar: In campaign or challenge mode, this area displays the objectives you currently need to complete.

II. Complete Operation Flow: From Opening to Profit

Step 1: Create/Start a New Game

After launching the game, click “Campaign” or “Sandbox Mode” in the main menu.

After selecting a level or sandbox map, click “Start” to enter the game. In Sandbox Mode, you need to first name your aquarium and set parameters such as initial funds.

Step 2: Initial Planning and Construction

Place the aquarium: Click the Build Menu on the left panel (or press B), and select the “Aquarium” category. Click and drag in the central workspace to determine its size and position. Press the R key to rotate the aquarium’s orientation.
Install necessary equipment: Select the aquarium you just placed, and the right panel will display its requirements. Click “Add Equipment” or go to the “Equipment” category in the Build Menu to install a filter (to maintain water quality), heater/chiller (to regulate temperature), and lighting (needed by animals and plants). Equipment must be placed snugly against the aquarium or connected via pipes.
Lay down basic infrastructure: Use “Walls”, “Floors”, and “Doors” from the Build Menu to plan visitor pathways and venue areas. Make sure visitors can pass through.

Step 3: Introducing Animals and Meeting Their Needs

Purchase fish: Click the Animal Menu on the left (or press A). Browse the list, click the fish you want to buy, and then click an empty aquarium to place it inside. Pay attention to the animal requirements shown on the right panel, such as compatibility (cannot be housed with natural enemies), group size, water quality, temperature, decorations, and more.
Add decorations and substrate: In the “Decorations” category of the build menu, select rocks, coral, plants, etc., and place them in the aquarium to both improve animal welfare and enhance visual appeal. The type of substrate also affects certain fish species.
Monitor animal status: Select any animal and view its health, hunger, and stress values in the right panel. Red values indicate unmet needs that require immediate attention.

Step 4: Hire and Manage Staff

Hire staff: Click the Staff Menu on the left (or press S), then click “Hire New Staff.” Initially, you need at least one Keeper (responsible for feeding and treatment) and one Cleaner (responsible for cleaning trash and windows).
Assign tasks and equipment: Select a staff member, and in the right panel you can:
- Click “Assign Area,” then drag on the work area to designate their dedicated work zone to improve efficiency.
- Click the “Equipment” button to equip them with tools (such as better nets and cleaning tools).
- Click the “Training” button to increase their skill level.

Step 5: Open to the Public and Welcome Visitors

Set ticket prices and facilities: Click the “Ticket Price” icon in the top info bar to adjust it. In the “Facilities” category of the build menu, place a Ticket Booth, Information Board, Trash Can, Bench, Snack Stand, etc., to meet visitor needs.
Open the aquarium: Once all necessary facilities are in place, click the “Open/Close” toggle button near the top info bar (or press the Spacebar) to open for business.
Monitor guest thoughts: Click on “Guest Thoughts” in the left-hand info menu (or press I) to see their feedback on ticket prices, cleanliness, animal exhibits, and more, and optimize accordingly.

Step 6: Research, Expand, and Complete Objectives

Conduct research: Build a Research Lab and hire Researchers. In the Research menu (or press R), select projects to unlock, such as new fish species, larger tanks, and more efficient equipment.
Expand your venue: Use your profits to repeat Steps 2–5, building new themed exhibit areas and introducing rarer, more attractive animals.
Complete objectives: Keep a close eye on the goals in the taskbar at the bottom, such as reaching a certain prestige level, breeding a particular animal, or hitting a profit target. Completing all objectives clears the level.

III. Advanced Tips for Common Features

Batch operations and copying: While building, hold the Shift key and click-drag to place multiple identical objects in a row (such as floors and walls). Select a placed and fully configured tank (including equipment and decorations) and use the “Copy” function (usually a corresponding button or shortcut) to quickly create identical exhibits.
Efficient Staff Management:
- Assign each employee a precise dedicated work zone to prevent them from traveling long distances.
- Assign employees with similar skills (such as advanced aquarists) to the exhibit areas with the highest maintenance difficulty.
- Enable the “Auto-Upgrade Equipment” option in the staff menu, allowing employees to automatically purchase better tools when they have money.
Aquarium Layout Optimization:
- Use the “Pipe System” to connect multiple devices to a single aquarium, or connect one device (such as a large filter) to multiple adjacent aquariums, saving space and cost.
- Make reasonable use of background walls and one-way glass to create “backstage” equipment areas, keeping the visitor’s view clean and aesthetically pleasing.
Advanced Mixed-Species Strategy: In the animal menu, carefully check each species’ “ecology” tags (predator, prey, cleaner symbiosis, etc.). Using animals with symbiotic relationships, such as cleaner shrimp and cleaner fish, can reduce disease. Avoid mixing animals with “predator” relationships.

IV. Common Issues and Solutions

Symptom	Possible Cause	Solution
High animal stress or illness	1. Predators present in the aquarium. 2. Water quality (ammonia, nitrate) exceeds limits. 3. Temperature is unsuitable. 4. Lack of suitable hiding decorations.	1. Immediately separate the conflicting animals. 2. Check whether the filter is working properly and whether its power is sufficient, and clean the filter media. 3. Adjust the heater/chiller temperature settings. 4. Add rocks, coral, etc. to provide cover.
Low staff efficiency, constant complaints of “nothing to do” or task pileup	1. Work areas are unreasonably allocated or too large. 2. Lack of necessary equipment (such as nets). 3. Skill levels are too low. 4. Paths are blocked by obstacles.	1. Redefine smaller, more focused work zones. 2. Check and purchase equipment in the staff panel. 3. Send employees for training. 4. Check whether doors and walls are blocking movement, and ensure work areas are reachable.
Visitors complain “there’s nothing to see” or tickets are too expensive	1. Few animal species or poor display appeal. 2. Information boards not placed or not updated. 3. Ticket prices set too high.	1. Research and introduce more diverse and rarer animals. 2. Place information boards in front of each exhibit and click “Update Display.” 3. Adjust ticket prices to a reasonable level in the finance information panel (refer to visitor thoughts).
Funds rapidly decreasing, continuous losses	1. High equipment operating costs (especially multiple inefficient devices). 2. Large staff salary expenses. 3. Low visitor traffic.	1. Research and upgrade to efficient energy-saving equipment, and turn off unnecessary decorative lights. 2. Lay off redundant or unnecessary staff and optimize the team. 3. Improve aquarium attractiveness (more exhibits, docent performances, lower ticket prices for promotions).
Game lag (for large aquariums in late game)	Too many simultaneously simulated animals, visitors, and staff entities.	1. Lower graphics detail in game settings. 2. Reduce unnecessary density of visitor facilities. 3. Avoid building too many exhibits containing large numbers of small schooling fish.

V. Megaquarium for Mac Keyboard Shortcuts Summary

Function Category	Shortcut	Action
Core Menus	`B`	Open/Close Build Menu
`A`	Open/Close Animal Menu
`S`	Open/Close Staff Menu
`R`	Open/Close Research Menu
`I`	Open/Close Info Menu
`M`	Open Finance/Funds Details
Game Controls	`Spacebar`	Pause/Resume Game (or Toggle Open/Closed)
`1`, `2`, `3`	Switch Game Speed (Slow, Normal, Fast)
`Z`	Undo Last Build Action
`ESC`	Close Current Open Panel or Cancel Current Action
`Cmd + S`	Quick Save
View & Building	`Mouse Scroll Wheel` or `+/-`	Zoom In/Out View
`Hold Middle Mouse Button and Drag` or `Arrow Keys`	Pan View