Hoverfish
Small defensive creature that hovers motionless among kelp stalks. Will charge at intruders but deals minimal damage. Low danger.
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Quick Facts
Description
The Hoverfish is a small, territorial creature that makes its home among the towering kelp stalks of the Kelp Forest biome. As its name suggests, it hovers almost perfectly motionless in the water column, perched beside a chosen kelp stalk that serves as its territorial anchor. Its flat, disc-shaped body is camouflaged with mottled green and brown patterning that blends seamlessly with the kelp, making it easy to overlook until you are right on top of it. When a player or other creature enters its personal space, the Hoverfish launches a defensive charge — a quick, straight-line rush that deals minimal damage but can startle unwary divers. Despite this show of aggression, it is entirely non-lethal and poses no real threat to a prepared player.
Where to Find
Hoverfish are found exclusively in the Kelp Forest biome at 50-200m depth. They hover motionless beside individual kelp stalks, which serve as their territorial perches. Each Hoverfish claims a small territory around its chosen stalk, so they are distributed throughout the forest at regular intervals. Look for their distinctive disc-shaped silhouettes hovering beside the kelp rather than swimming through open water.
Behavior & Combat
The Hoverfish is a territorial defender, not a predator. It hovers motionless beside its chosen kelp stalk and only reacts when a player enters its immediate personal space. Its defensive behavior is a straightforward charge — a quick, straight-line rush toward the intruder that deals minimal damage. After charging, it returns to its hover position. It will repeat this charge if the intruder remains in range but will not pursue beyond its small territory. The damage from a single charge is negligible, and even repeated charges pose no real threat to a player with basic health. The main risk is being startled into a bad decision, such as swimming into a Stalker's territory while dodging a Hoverfish charge.
Defensive Charge
Charges in a straight line at intruders who enter its personal space. Deals minimal damage and returns to its hover position afterward.
Kelp Perch Territory
Each Hoverfish claims a small territory around a single kelp stalk. It will not pursue beyond this territory, so simply swimming past ends the encounter.
Negligible Damage
A single charge deals minimal damage. Even repeated charges pose no threat to a player with basic health. The main risk is being startled.
Drops & Uses
Hoverfish can be caught and used as a food source, though their food value is lower than Peepers or Boomerangs. They are not the most efficient food fish in the Kelp Forest, but they are easy to catch if you can deal with their defensive charges. They can also serve as modest Bioreactor fuel.
Raw Hoverfish
+10 FOODEaten raw, restores +10 Food. Carries a small risk of foodborne illness.
Cooked Hoverfish
+15 FOODCooked at a Fabricator, restores more food with no illness risk.
Cured Hoverfish
+10 FOODCured with Salt, restores food and lasts indefinitely. Useful for expeditions through the Kelp Forest.
Bioreactor Fuel
ENERGYCan be fed into a Bioreactor for a modest energy yield when biomass is scarce.
Tips
Just Swim Past
Hoverfish will not pursue beyond their small territory. If charged, simply keep swimming and you will exit their range within seconds. No combat response is needed.
Watch for Stalkers
The main risk of a Hoverfish charge is being startled into a bad direction. Do not dodge into Stalker territory while evading a Hoverfish — the Stalker is the real threat.
Easy to Catch
Their hovering behavior makes them predictable targets. Swim up from below or behind and grab them before they can charge. Their charge is slow and easily dodged.
Not the Best Food Source
Hoverfish provide less food than Peepers or Boomerangs. If you are in the Kelp Forest for food, target the more nutritious fish instead and leave Hoverfish for emergencies.
Related Creatures
Related Guides
Kelp Forest Survival
How to navigate kelp forests and handle territorial creatures like Hoverfish.
Early Game Food Guide
Best fish to catch and cook for reliable sustenance in early game.
Kelp Forest Biome Guide
Depth, resources, and creatures of the Hoverfish's home biome.
All Creatures Database
Browse every creature, danger level, and habitat.
Related Guides & Resources
Explore these related guides and entity pages to deepen your understanding of small food fish and shallow-water survival.
Peeper
Similar small edible fish found in shallow waters.
Bladderfish
Common small fish sharing hoverfish biomes.
Boomerang
Curved fish often caught in the same kelp areas.
Kelp Forest
Preferred habitat with dense canopy cover.
Grassy Plateaus
Open shallow biome hosting hoverfish schools.
Early Survival Guide
Beginner guide to food, water, and safe exploration.
Hoverfish: SN1 vs Subnautica 2
Hoverfish are mostly unchanged but have new behaviors in Subnautica 2.
| Topic | Subnautica 1 | Subnautica 2 (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Habitat | Grassy Plateaus, Kelp Forest | Same biomes + new Seagrass Meadows |
| Use | Water + food | Same use + new Battery charge effect when cooked |
| School size | 2-3 fish | 3-6 fish (larger schools in SN2) |
| Behavior | Scared of player | Tamed in SN2 with Creature Pen (rare drops) |
Coming from Subnautica 1? Bookmark this page — the rest of the guide covers SN2-specific mechanics, but this table helps you unlearn old habits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Hoverfish dangerous?
No, the Hoverfish is low danger. It will charge at players who enter its personal space, but the damage from a charge is minimal and it will not pursue beyond its small territory. Even repeated charges pose no real threat to a player with basic health. The main risk is being startled and accidentally swimming into more dangerous territory while dodging.
Where to find Hoverfish?
Hoverfish are found in kelp forests at 50-200m depth. They hover motionless beside individual kelp stalks, which serve as their territorial perches. Look for their distinctive disc-shaped silhouettes hovering beside the kelp rather than swimming through open water. Each Hoverfish claims a small territory around its chosen stalk.
Can you eat Hoverfish?
Yes, Hoverfish can be caught and cooked for a small food value. Raw Hoverfish gives +10 Food, and cooked gives +15 Food. However, they are less efficient than Peepers or Boomerangs as a food source, so target them only when better options are unavailable.
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