You're standing at the Earth Seal in the mines. You've got your pickaxe, you've fought through the monsters, and then you see it—the stone tablet demands an Archerfish Fields of Mistria. If you’re like me, you probably spent three in-game days staring at the same muddy pond in the Upper Mines wondering why nothing is biting.
Honestly? It's because the game is a bit of a tease about where this thing actually lives.
The Archerfish isn't just another random fish you'll pull out of the river while you’re waiting for Hayden to open his shop. It is a specific, uncommon gatekeeper that prevents you from reaching the deeper levels of the mines. If you don't find it, you don't progress.
Where the Archerfish Actually Hides
Stop fishing in the Upper Mines. Seriously.
The Archerfish Fields of Mistria is exclusive to the Tide Caverns, which cover floors 21 through 39 of the Mines. If you haven't cracked the seal to get into the 20s yet, you aren't going to find this fish. Once you’re in the Tide Caverns, you’re looking for water—any water.
Unlike those finicky seasonal fish that only show up when it's raining on a Tuesday in Fall, the Archerfish is a year-round resident. It doesn't care about the weather. It doesn't care if it's 2:00 AM or high noon.
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The "Floor 21" Reset Trick
If you’re struggling, there is a strategy most of us "Mistria" veterans use to save time.
- Take the elevator to Floor 20.
- Walk down the stairs to Floor 21.
- Check the immediate pool of water for a shadow.
- If there’s no fish, or the shadow is the wrong size, go back up the ladder and come back down.
This resets the spawns. It’s way faster than running through ten floors hoping for a lucky bite. You might get a dozen Jellyfish before the Archerfish shows up, but keep at it.
Shadow Size: Don't Believe the Myths
There is a huge debate in the community about the Archerfish's shadow size. Some old guides (and even some early wiki entries) will tell you it’s a "Medium" shadow.
They’re wrong. Sorta.
In the actual game code and most player experiences, the Archerfish spawns as a Small shadow. If you’re targeting medium shadows, you’re going to end up with a bag full of Pufferfish and a very frustrated farmer. Look for the little guys. They move quick, but that small silhouette is your golden ticket.
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The "Small" shadow is roughly the size of a Minnow or a Sardine. If it looks chunky or long, let it go. You’re wasting stamina.
Why You Need Two of Them
Most people forget that the Earth Seal isn't the only thing that wants your Archerfish. You actually need two of them for a "completionist" run.
- The Earth Seal: You must give one to the stone tablet to unlock floors 40+ of the mines.
- The Museum: It belongs in the Tide Caverns Fish Set in the Museum's Fish Wing.
If you donate your first one to the Museum, you’re stuck until you catch another. If you give it to the Seal, the Museum stays empty. My advice? Give it to the Seal first. Unlocking the deeper mines gives you access to better ores and more profitable loot, which makes the second hunt a lot less stressful.
Museum Rewards for the Tide Caverns Set
When you eventually finish the Tide Caverns set (which includes the Archerfish, Sapphire Betta, and that annoying Mini-Whale Shark), you get some pretty cool rewards. The Museum usually hands out treasure-box-themed furniture or clothing pieces.
It’s not just for clout; finishing these sets is one of the fastest ways to raise your Town Rank.
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Quick Facts for the Busy Farmer
If you just want the raw data so you can get back to your turnips, here it is:
- Location: Tide Caverns (Mines Floors 21-39)
- Shadow Size: Small
- Rarity: Uncommon
- Season: All Seasons
- Weather: Any Weather
- Sell Price: 45t (But don't sell it, you need it!)
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Don't use fancy bait yet. Honestly, the basic Worn Fishing Rod or the Copper Fishing Rod is plenty for this. Since the pools in the Tide Caverns are often quite small, you don't even need a long cast.
Also, watch your stamina. Fishing in the mines is a double-edged sword. You're already burning energy fighting Slimes and mining Iron. If you spend all day fishing for an Archerfish and run out of stamina, you might pass out before you can even reach the Earth Seal to turn it in.
Bring some Sweet Potato Fries or Trail Mix. You'll thank me when you're on your tenth reset of Floor 21.
To secure your progress, prioritize the Archerfish catch as soon as you hit the Tide Caverns so you aren't bottlenecked at the Earth Seal. Once you've secured the first one, immediately head to the tablet on floor 20 to hand it over and unlock the next tier of the mines.