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How to Beat the Pufferfish Boss in How to Fish

Use trees to control the pufferfish route, choose a mobile weapon and split clear roles in co-op.

Published 2026-08-22Reviewed 2026-08-23Evidence level: community
Quick answer

Fight around trees or another solid obstacle instead of open ground. Keep the pufferfish following a wide circle, shoot when the obstacle creates separation and move before it closes the gap. In co-op, the targeted player runs while teammates fire from different angles.

  • Clear ordinary creatures from the area.
  • Choose two or three trees that form a repeatable outer loop.
  • Bring food and enough ammunition for a long fight.
  • Use an Uzi or other mobile ranged weapon if you need to fire while moving.
  • Use a shotgun only when you can create a deliberate close opening.
  • Decide who will pick up the fin or trophy after the kill.

Solo fight route

  1. Start near the outside of the tree cluster, not in the middle.
  2. Let the pufferfish commit to your side of the obstacle.
  3. Turn around the tree and create a short line of sight.
  4. Fire during that gap; stop before it reaches your new position.
  5. Continue around the next tree rather than reversing into the boss.
  6. Heal only after solid cover breaks the direct route.

The goal is not to outrun the boss forever. The trees repeatedly convert a straight charge into a longer path, creating small safe damage windows.

Co-op plan

  • The player being chased stays on the outer loop and focuses on survival.
  • Other players spread out; do not follow directly behind the runner.
  • Shoot from the side while the boss is committed to the runner.
  • Call out when attention changes so the new target can take over the route.
  • Keep one player ready to collect the distinctive drop.

Why attempts fail

  • Fighting in open ground and relying only on sprinting.
  • Reversing direction into the pufferfish.
  • Reloading while the boss has a straight path.
  • Grouping every co-op player around the lure.
  • Emptying the wallet on new gear and arriving without healing or ammunition.

Finish the quest correctly

After the fight, pick up the distinct fin or bone-shaped trophy before handling ordinary meat. Carry it directly to the quest giver and confirm the objective changes. Use Island Progression if the hand-in does not register.

Sources

  1. How to Fish on Steam — Dazed Games / Valve — https://store.steampowered.com/app/4001890/How_to_Fish/ — official bosses, equipment and co-op features.
  2. How to Fish General Discussions — Steam Community / Valve — https://steamcommunity.com/app/4001890/discussions/ — tree-route, Uzi, shotgun, co-op and trophy reports.