Insaniquarium is a 2001 virtual pets simulator video game developed by Flying Bear Entertainment and published by PopCap Games. Before PopCap Games's involvement, the game was a web-based Java game released in 2001. The game was made downloadable by PopCap Games in 2004 and was ported to mobile devices in 2006 and 2008 by Glu Mobile and Astraware respectively. Insaniquarium has the player maintain a tank full of fish while protecting it from alien attacks. Insaniquarium was mainly designed and programmed by George Fan through his company Flying Bear Entertainment. His main intention was to have the game featured in the Independent Games Festival. After learning the game had made it as a finalist, Fan paired up with PopCap Games to make the game downloadable. The game was a success, garnering general praise for its fast-paced gameplay, and was downloaded 20 million times as of April 2006. Gameplay Insaniquarium is a virtual pets simulator with a blend of elements from action, strategy, and puzzle video games. In the game, the player must manage a tank of guppies and other aquatic creatures, and each stage begins with two guppies in the tank. Guppies and other fish drop coins, which can be collected by the player and used to purchase fish food and upgrades, such as more aquatic creatures, food that can keep the fish full for a longer period of time, and laser upgrades to repel attackers. The coins will disappear if they reach the bottom of the tank. Each creature must be kept alive by feeding. The method of feeding depends on the type of fish to be fed. For example, guppies eat fish food bought by the player, and carnivores eat little guppies. In addition to feeding the fish, the player must protect them from aliens that periodically enter the tank and attempt to eat them. The aliens must be clicked on repeatedly with the mouse pointer in order to defeat them. Insaniquarium can be played in four modes: Adventure, Time Trial, Challenge, or Virtual Tank. In Adventure mode, a player advances through four tanks, each with five levels. In each level, the player must earn enough money to buy three egg pieces to advance to the next level. During an initial playthrough of Adventure mode, at the end of each level of a tank, the player receives a new pet from the egg. While 28 pets can be