Parents' Guide to

VirtualFishtank

By Jean Armour Polly, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 5+

You never have to clean a virtual tank.

Website http://www.virtualfishtank.com/main.html
VirtualFishtank Poster Image

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What’s It About?

If you visited Boston's Museum of Science, you'd find they have a virtual 24,000-gallon fish tank on display. Instead of real fish, this one is populated with lively animated creatures created by museum visitors. Children can select how the fish looks, how it eats, and how it behaves when around other fish. Then they \"release\" their custom design into the \"tank\" and watch it interact with other aquarium residents. With VirtualFishTank, you can experience all the fun without leaving home. Your fish will swim in a special online tank at first, but then you can release it into the big tank at the museum, and watch its antics there.

Is It Any Good?

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Kids say (2):

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.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • 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?

Website Details

  • Genre: Educational
  • Pricing structure: Free
  • Last updated: November 4, 2015

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