
- BGG rank
- BGG #3,930
- BGG rating
- 6.6
Qwirkle Cubes
- 2–4 players
- 45 min
- Complexity 1.6/5
- 2009

2009
Rules assistance for Fish Stix
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
For 2 players

What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Fish Stix is a board game released in 2009 for 2–4 players, 20 minutes per game, and ages 6 and up. It was designed by Susan McKinley Ross and its main mechanics are Tile Placement, Pattern Building, and Pattern Recognition.
Fish Stix is an strategy game where players match fish direction and color to score points. Each stick has 4 different fish on it and is added to others that have been played to score. The first player to score 10 points in all 6 fish categories, wins the game. From the back of the box: The game where every fish counts! Match fish row by row, the more you match the faster you go! Fish Stix is a visual strategy game that takes just seconds to learn. Children of different ages will have fun playing together. A different game every time you play! Ages 6 and up
Fish Stix supports 2–4 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 Fish Stix is 20 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 Fish Stix for ages 6 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.
Fish Stix has a complexity rating of 1.8 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a light 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.
Fish Stix belongs to these categories: Animals, Children's Game, and Number. Its main mechanics are Tile Placement, Pattern Building, and Pattern Recognition. 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 Fish Stix are: Susan McKinley Ross. 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 Fish Stix 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.