
- BGG rank
- BGG #3,361
- BGG rating
- 7.0
Pondscape
- 1–4 players
- 20–35 min
- Complexity 2.0/5
- 2025

2025
Rules assistance for Aquaria
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
For 1 player

What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Aquaria is a board game released in 2025 for 1–4 players, 45–120 minutes per game, and ages 12 and up. It was designed by Tomáš Holek and its main mechanics are Hand Management, Set Collection, and End Game Bonuses.
In Aquaria, you and your friends compete to have the most expertise in maintaining a thriving aquarium. Build your aquarium from scratch to see who can maintain the best aquascape and fauna. One to four aquarists will see who can best accomplish their marine goals. Throughout the game, players will buy new fish, feed them, and keep their aquarium in tip-top condition. Players will also show how they have progressed in their aquarist studies by how far they have moved on the encyclopedia tracks. Whoever has the most points at game's end wins. With an approximate playtime of 45-minutes per player, this game from award-winning best-selling designer Tomáš Holek is crafted to delight even the most seasoned gamers. Featuring breathtaking artwork throughout, it immerses players in a captivating experience - where you can build the perfect aquarium, no water changes or live fish required!
Aquaria supports 1–4 players according to the catalogue. This range comes from the publisher’s listed player count, so the game can be set up for any group size within it. Some setups, rules and scoring details may still vary by player count, so check your edition’s rulebook for the exact configuration.
The listed playing time for Aquaria is 45–120 minutes. This is the publisher’s estimate for a full game. The actual duration depends on the group, the player count and familiarity with the rules: first sessions usually run longer, while experienced groups often finish faster. Setup and teaching time are not included in this estimate.
The catalogue lists Aquaria for ages 12 and up. This is the publisher’s recommendation and reflects reading demands, rule complexity and small components rather than theme alone. Younger players can often join with help from an adult, so check the age guidance on your edition and consider your group’s experience with board games.
Aquaria has a complexity rating of 3.1 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a medium-weight game. The rating reflects how much rules knowledge, planning and decision-making a typical game demands. Expect a longer first teach for heavier games, and use a preparation guide before game night.
Aquaria belongs to these categories: Card Game, Animals, and Puzzle. Its main mechanics are Hand Management, Set Collection, and End Game Bonuses. Categories describe the theme and setting of a game, while mechanics describe what players actually do on their turns. Each mechanic links to a catalogue hub with similar games, which helps when you want something comparable.
The credited designers of Aquaria are: Tomáš Holek. These credits come from the published game data and name the people responsible for the game’s design, not its illustrators or publishers. Designer pages on MeepleRules collect other titles by the same designers, which helps when you enjoy a game and want to find similar ones.
The catalogue lists Aquaria as a base game. It can be played on its own with the components in the box and does not require any other title. Expansions, if any exist, add new content or rules on top of it and are listed separately in the catalogue with a link back to this base game.