This guide helps players track January sea creatures in Animal Crossing: New Horizons across hemispheres, clarifying which creatures spawn in January and when to find them. Because spawn tables vary by hemisphere, Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere players will see different sets of critters this month.
Northern Hemisphere January Sea Creatures: In January, the Northern Hemisphere hosts a broad mix of sea life, including Seaweed, Sea Cucumber, Sea Pig, Sea Star, Sea Anemone, Sea Slug, Pearl Oyster, Oyster, Scallop, Whelk, Abalone, Octopus, Dungeness Crab, Snow Crab, Red King Crab, Acorn Barnacle, Sweet Shrimp, Mantis Shrimp, Lobster, and Venus' Flower Basket. Most spawn all day, but several are restricted to the late afternoon to morning window: Sea Pig, Abalone, Sweet Shrimp, and Mantis Shrimp operate 4pm–9am.
In January, the Northern Hemisphere’s sea creatures are available as follows: Seaweed, Sea Cucumber, Sea Pig, Sea Star, Sea Anemone, Sea Slug, Pearl Oyster, Oyster, Scallop, Whelk, Abalone, Octopus, Dungeness Crab, Snow Crab, Red King Crab, Acorn Barnacle, Sweet Shrimp, Mantis Shrimp, Lobster, and Venus' Flower Basket. Leaving at the end of January are Abalone and Lobster. New in January for this hemisphere: none.
[Image: Northern Hemisphere January Sea Creatures]
Southern Hemisphere January Sea Creatures: The Southern Hemisphere’s January lineup includes Seaweed, Sea Grapes, Sea Star, Sea Urchin, Slate Pencil Urchin, Sea Anemone, Moon Jellyfish, Sea Slug, Pearl Oyster, Mussel, Scallop, Whelk, Abalone, Gigas Giant Clam, Octopus, Vampire Squid, Gazami Crab, Acorn Barnacle, Tiger Prawn, Mantis Shrimp, Giant Isopod, Horseshoe Crab, Sea Pineapple, and Spotted Garden Eel. New in January there are three additions: Moon Jellyfish, Giant Isopod, and Horseshoe Crab. Moon Jellyfish and the others are noted with their characteristic spawn windows (Moon Jellyfish all day; Giant Isopod 9am–4pm and 9pm–4am; Horseshoe Crab 9pm–4am).
In January, the Southern Hemisphere also features several longer day spawns and some limited windows. Leaving at the end of January is Seaweed.
[Image: Diving for Oyster]
New in January for the Southern Hemisphere include Moon Jellyfish, Giant Isopod, and Horseshoe Crab, with the Giant Isopod and Horseshoe Crab showing extended night windows. As with the Northern Hemisphere, most other species remain available throughout the day or within their listed times.
Tips for catching: Use the listed spawn times to target rarities and avoid wasting trips. Some species appear only during specific windows (for example 4pm–9am for Sea Pig, Abalone, Sweet Shrimp, and Mantis Shrimp in the Northern Hemisphere, and Giant Isopod plus Horseshoe Crab in the Southern Hemisphere’s January lineup). If you’re after high-value catches, note that several species carry higher bells values, such as Snow Crab, Red King Crab, Moon Jellyfish, Vampire Squid, Giant Isopod, and Giant Isopod’s high price in the Southern Hemisphere. For broader help, players can consult pages listing all January Bugs and all January Fish for cross-reference.