VirtualFishtank (http://www.virtualfishtank.com/main.html)

common sense media says

You never have to clean a virtual tank.


parents & educators say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that sometimes it takes hours before a fish is released into one of the museum's tanks, so kids may just want to play with their fish in the "personal" tank. Families who visit this site will find that each registered user may design up to four fish. Each fish can have a different name and tag so that up to four kids could play at the same time.

Educational value: Not applicable.
Positive messages: Not applicable.
Violence: Not applicable.
Sex: Not applicable.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.

More on VirtualFishtank

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about how online simulations compare to real-life experiences. Is it more fun watching fish in a real tank or in the virtual fish tank? Would you be sad if your virtual fish was eaten? How did you decide what features to give your fish?

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
VirtualFishTank allows you to give your fish a name and a tag letter so you'll be able to identify him in the tank. Then move the slider bars to adjust his place on the food chain, his body shape, and his behavior when it comes to things like bubbles. You'll be given statistics on the duration of your fish's survival and his impact on the rest of the fish community. Redesign your fish and see if you can give him characteristics that will help him to survive a bit longer.

Got a successful fish? Click "Home," check his stats, and then get in line to release him into other tanks. Besides the Boston Museum, you can send him to the St. Louis Science Center. Be aware that LOTS of other kids are doing the same thing, so your fish may have to wait hours until it's his turn. You can play with another fish while waiting, or logout and log back in later to check the outcome.


This review was written by Jean Armour Polly
 
 

Review It

 

Review VirtualFishtank





Hang on! You need to be a member to post your review.
A safe community is important to us. Please observe our guidelines.
 

Most useful reviews by all members

chokopenguin
kid, 13 years old
 
huh
waty

kisharoo12130
kid, 11 years old
 
Kisharoo's Review on VirtualFishtank~
VirtualFishtank is a pretty good game, much better then the things most children are playing these days. There is no chat, which, in a way, is a good thing. I like that you can customize your fish pretty much any way you want to. Now for the bad things. VFT is really hard to get into, and really, really love. There's really no reason to play it for more then a few minutes. No feeding, no petting, and otherwise that would grab a child's attention from what I've seen. Still, it's okay if you have a few minutes to get on the computer. ~ Kishy

An independent voice for families
Age-appropriate reviews
 

vote now

Will you visit VirtualFishtank?


Already visited it? What do you think?

 

Great alternatives handpicked by our editors


About our rating system
ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child, some content may not be right for some kids
OFF: Not age appropriate for kids this age