Behind the field notes
How Fishdle builds a fair fish puzzle
Fishdle is designed to be a small learning loop: observe a shape, make a reasoned guess, then leave with a useful fact about a real species. This page explains the editorial choices behind that loop.
A curated catalog, not a random name list
The Fishdle catalog currently covers 316 unique fish species. Every record begins with a stable scientific identity and a familiar common name, then adds habitat, water type, range, family, order, approximate maximum length, aliases, diet, behavior, ecological role, and plain-language learning notes.
Regional and translated names are kept as accepted answers only when they refer to the same taxon. Scientific names remain the canonical key, which prevents a local nickname from accidentally pointing to a different fish.
Clues that reward observation
Classic comparisons use broad traits such as habitat, region, size, family, and order. Optional hints describe visible features in everyday language—color, body shape, fins, and silhouette landmarks—without giving away the answer.
The daily scheduler assigns one fish per date, avoids repeats across its rolling horizon, and keeps released results immutable. Archive play is separate from the official daily streak, so everyone gets the same fair starting point.
Images with a paper trail
Real fish photographs and collection art are served from Fishdle’s own media path after review. A media record keeps the source page, creator, license, required credit, and processing details alongside the derivative shown to players.
When an answer is revealed, the fact card identifies the fish and links to the relevant source or license information. We do not hide third-party imagery behind an unexplained hotlink.
Built for more ways to play
Keyboard navigation, clear labels, text alternatives, reduced-motion support, mobile layouts, and readable hints are part of the product—not post-release decoration. A player can use common, regional, or scientific names and can play anonymously.
Corrections are part of the work
Fish information changes as sources improve. Guide profiles link to FishBase and Catalogue of Life for further checking, avoid presenting a habitat note as a formal conservation status, and direct conservation decisions to current primary assessments and regional authorities. We preserve answers shown on released dates while correcting future clues and guide copy.
Fishdle does not publish future answers in page metadata, feeds, or public APIs. See the privacy policy and terms for account, advertising, and community details.