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Night Events Guide

Complete night event counter reference for Don't Sleep With The Fishes. Every event, best item counter, backup strategy, and what to avoid. Updated v1.1.3.

Event Counter Quick Reference

EventBest CounterBackupAvoidSource
Giant SquidAnchorRepair boat next dayGoing back to sleepOfficial
WhirlpoolAnchorImmediate repair after damageNo anchor / sleeping through itOfficial
Eerie MelodyDuct TapeBucket / UmbrellaFlashlight / SpyglassCommunity
EyesStay awakeNone knownGoing to sleep with a companion on boardCommunity
Hope / Other PeopleFlashlight / Flare GunSave Flare Gun for stronger rescue chancesIgnoring the plane / distant lightsOfficial
SeagullShoo it awayFeed it (accepts food drain)Letting too many stay on the boatCommunity
LeakDuct TapeBucketIgnoring itOfficial
Shadow FigureFlashlightStay awakeGoing back to sleep aloneCommunity
AnglerfishHarpoon GunRow (crewmate defense)No counter / sleeping through itCommunity

Giant Squid

A massive tentacled creature attacks your boat at night. Without the Anchor, your boat takes catastrophic damage. The community also reports that Heart of the Sea may open the True Ending route during this encounter — but this is unverified. After surviving, always repair your boat the next day.

Best: AnchorBackup: Repair boat next dayAvoid: Going back to sleep

Whirlpool

A sudden vortex pulls your boat into a spin. The Anchor holds you steady. Without it, the boat takes heavy structural damage. If you survive, repair immediately — a damaged boat sinks fast. This event is especially dangerous if your hull is already weakened.

Best: AnchorBackup: Immediate repair after damageAvoid: No anchor / sleeping through it

Eerie Melody

A haunting sound drifts across the water. Community reports say using Flashlight or Spyglass during this event triggers a dangerous siren reaction — do NOT use them. Duct Tape or Bucket will block the effect. In v1.1.3, Duct Tape repair use is optional, so saving it exclusively for this event is now viable.

Best: Duct TapeBackup: Bucket / UmbrellaAvoid: Flashlight / Spyglass

Eyes

Something watches you from the darkness. If you have a shipmate, going to sleep risks them being taken. Staying awake protects your companion but leaves you with low energy the next day. Plan a rest day after this event if possible.

Best: Stay awakeBackup: None knownAvoid: Going to sleep with a companion on board

Hope / Other People

A passing aircraft or distant ship lights appear. This is your rescue opportunity. Use Flashlight or Flare Gun to signal. Flare Gun gives the strongest rescue chance (slightly increased in v1.1.3). Do NOT use these items on non-rescue events — wasting them locks you out of the Rescue ending.

Best: Flashlight / Flare GunBackup: Save Flare Gun for stronger rescue chancesAvoid: Ignoring the plane / distant lights

Seagull

A seagull lands on your boat. If you shoo it away, it leaves. Feeding it costs food but keeps it friendly. The danger: if too many seagulls accumulate on your boat, they trigger the Seagull Bad Ending. Community reports suggest this is a hidden failure state — keep your bird count low.

Best: Shoo it awayBackup: Feed it (accepts food drain)Avoid: Letting too many stay on the boat

Leak

Your boat springs a leak. Duct Tape patches it instantly. Bucket can also bail water but is less effective. Ignoring a leak causes progressive hull damage — combined with other events, this can sink you fast. In v1.1.3, Duct Tape's repair use is optional, so you can save it exclusively for events like this.

Best: Duct TapeBackup: BucketAvoid: Ignoring it

Shadow Figure

A dark shape moves at the edge of your vision. The Flashlight drives it back. Staying awake also works but costs energy. Community reports are mixed on whether this event can harm your shipmate — err on the side of caution.

Best: FlashlightBackup: Stay awakeAvoid: Going back to sleep alone

Anglerfish

A bioluminescent predator rises from the depths. The Harpoon Gun is your best defense. If you brought Row as your crewmate, they can help counter this and other monster events. Without a counter, expect significant boat damage or personal injury.

Best: Harpoon GunBackup: Row (crewmate defense)Avoid: No counter / sleeping through it

Source Confidence

  • Official: Confirmed by developer DopplerGhost through itch.io, devlog, or patch notes.
  • Community: Reported by players on Reddit, itch.io comments, Fandom, or videos. Not independently verified.

v1.1.3 added 3 new night events. Some counters are still being tracked by the community.