How to collect all samples for the research assistant in Dredge

While exploring Stellar Basin in Dredge, you’ll encounter the research assistant at her scientific research outpost. She’s been having a rough time because a giant sea creature has moved in and destroyed pretty much everything it can reach. To find out what this creature is and what it does to native wildlife, you need to collect two sets of specimens. This guide explains how to collect all the samples for the research assistant so you can find out what’s going on and get the best possible reward for this pursuit.

Related: How to solve the slab of rock with three crab-like creatures on it in Gale Cliffs in Dredge

Where to collect all the sample fish for the research assistant

There are two sets of samples you need to collect for the research assistant. We’ve listed all the required fish here so you can work through them in a way that makes sense to you.

Where can I find a glowing octopus?

You can find a glowing octopus by placing a crab pot anywhere in the Stellar Basin. We caught one very close to the pontoon in this region, meaning we didn’t have to go far to catch the first specimen. It took a day for the glowing octopus to appear, although you might catch one sooner depending on the books you’ve read and the type of pot you’re using. We recommend Mouth of the Deep.

Where to find a Firefly Squid

Fireflies are easy creatures to catch. Wait until nightfall, then look for a swirling pool of glowing fish beneath the surface of the water. Fish there and you will catch as many fireflies as you desire.

Where to find an Aurora Jellyfish

Aurora Jellyfish gave us a lot of trouble with this pursuit. You cannot catch them with a rod or a crab pot. Instead, you must research and unlock trawler nets, then buy and equip one. These allow you to catch fish just by sailing around. We caught an aurora jellyfish while sailing around and exploring the Stellar Basin at night. Do the same and you should find one.

Once you’ve caught all three of these fish and turned them over to the research assistant, you’ll continue your quest and gain access to the center of Stellar Basin. That way you can grab the relic there and take it to The Collector. However, you can still work for the research assistant to get another reward. To do this, you need to collect the following example fish.

Where to find a monkfish

Anglerfish are fairly common in the Stellar Basin. You need to fish at night in areas where you can get Abyss Fish. If you don’t have a rod that can fish at that depth, you’ll have to look for one or find another way to get one later. Spots featuring monkfish feature fish swinging deep beneath the surface of the water.

Where can I find a traffic light Loosejaw?

The Stoplight Loosejaw is the fish that gave us the most trouble in this second part of the Research Assistant Pursuit. You can only find it at night, and even then it’s rare. This fish emerges from spots in disturbed water where red-eyed fish swirl beneath the surface. We recommend departing from the Research Outpost and searching in the waters surrounding the Stellar Basin rather than the region.

Where to find a giant amphipod

You can find Giant Amphipods in the center of Stellar Basin. Use the machine you have the research assistant activate to get rid of the monster there for a while before sailing in. You can see which fishing spots you can find these creatures in because they are quite different from others. It’s the legs that give them away.

Where to find a snailfish

Snailfish can only be caught in the center of the Stellar Basin. To get them you have to use the generator to activate the machine that will make the creature in that area disappear for a short time. Then you can sail in, catch a snail fish and escape.

What do you get for completing the Research Assistant Pursuit?

Once you’ve turned in all the samples and done everything else in this pursuit, the research assistant will explain to you why the fish are so strange in this part of the world. She also gives you a new book, A Plan for the Future. Equip it and sail around to read it and unlock the perks it offers.