Trade Hub & Steam Market Profit Guide
One of PC FISH: Taskbar Aquarium's most unique features is its integration with the Steam Community Market. You can breed rare fish, export them to your Steam Inventory, and sell them for real Steam wallet funds. This guide walks through the entire trading pipeline and shares strategies for maximizing profit.
Key Concept: The Trade Hub connects your in-game aquarium to your Steam Inventory. Exported fish become tradable Steam items that can be listed on the Community Market.
Table of Contents
1. Understanding the Trade Hub
The Trade Hub is the in-game interface where you manage the flow of fish between your aquarium and your Steam Inventory. It's accessible from the main menu's "Trade" button. The hub shows all your fish, their rarity tiers, and lets you select which ones to export or import.
The Trade Hub lets you select fish for export to your Steam Inventory.
Fish displayed in the Trade Hub are color-coded by rarity: blue for Rare, purple for Legendary, and gold for Mythic. Higher rarity fish are more valuable but also take longer to breed.
2. Exporting Fish to Steam Inventory
Exporting moves a fish from your in-game aquarium to your Steam Inventory, where it becomes a tradable item. Here's the step-by-step process:
- 1
Open the Trade Hub
Click the "Trade" button on the main menu to access the export/import interface.
- 2
Select fish to export
Choose the fish you want to move to Steam. You can select multiple fish at once.
- 3
Confirm export
Confirm your selection. The fish will be removed from your aquarium and added to your Steam Inventory.
- 4
Check Steam Inventory
Open your Steam Inventory to verify the fish arrived. It may take a few moments to appear.
Warning: Once exported, a fish leaves your aquarium permanently. Never export your only breeding pair of a species — keep at least two for continued breeding.
3. Importing Fish from Steam
You can also import fish from your Steam Inventory back into the game. This is useful if you bought a rare fish on the Community Market or want to bring back an exported fish. The import process is the reverse of export — select items in your Steam Inventory and move them into the aquarium.
Tip: Buying fish on the Steam Market can be faster than breeding them, especially for Legendary and Mythic tiers. Compare market prices against the time cost of breeding to decide which is more efficient.
4. Selling on the Community Market
Once a fish is in your Steam Inventory, you can list it on the Steam Community Market:
- 1
Go to the Steam Community Market
Navigate to the Community Market in your Steam client or browser.
- 2
Find the PC FISH item
Search for the fish by name or filter by the PC FISH game.
- 3
Set your price
Review current listings and recent sales to set a competitive price. Steam shows you the seller receives amount after fees.
- 4
List and wait
Confirm the listing. When it sells, the funds go to your Steam wallet.
5. Pricing Strategy
Setting the right price is key to selling quickly while maximizing profit. Consider these factors:
Check Current Listings
Always look at the lowest current listing for that fish. Price slightly below it for a fast sale, or match it if demand is high.
Review Sale History
Steam shows a graph of recent sales. If prices are trending up, hold for a better price. If trending down, sell quickly.
Factor in Steam Fees
Steam charges a 5% fee plus a game-specific fee. The "you receive" amount is what actually goes to your wallet.
Consider Rarity & Stars
5-star fish and new variants command premiums. A 5-star Rare may outsell a 1-star Legendary.
6. Best Fish to Sell
While exact prices fluctuate with market demand, these categories generally perform best:
| Category | Value | Demand | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mythic | Very High | High (low supply) | Top tier, rare listings, premium pricing |
| Legendary | High | Steady | Reliable sellers, good profit margin |
| Rare (5-star) | Medium-High | High | Affordable for buyers, volume sales |
| New Variants | Variable | Spike when new | First to market gets premium price |
7. Profit Maximization Tips
Tip 1: Breed in bulk. Set up multiple breeding pairs and export duplicates regularly. Volume matters for Common and Rare fish.
Tip 2: Time your listings. Weekends and evenings tend to have more buyers active on Steam.
Tip 3: Don't undersell Mythic fish. They're rare enough that patient sellers get significantly better prices.
Tip 4: Reinvest profits. Use Steam wallet funds to buy decoration DLC or rare breeding stock to accelerate your operation.
Tip 5: Track which fish sell fastest. Focus your breeding on high-turnover species for consistent income.