Fortnite Cuddle Fish - what does the cuttlefish do in Fortnite?

what does the cuttlefish do in Fortnite
(Image credit: Epic Games)

Wondering what the Fortnite cuttlefish does? Then you've probably caught a Fortnite Cuddle Fish – the official in-game name for these cute little cephalopods – from one of the fishing spots around the island. If you're a keen angler in the battle royale then you'll know that most fish you catch can be consumed to either increase your health or shields, or bestow another benefit such as thermal vision or a faster sprint speed.

However, you only have the option to throw these Fortnite cuttlefish, which stick to the surface they've been flung at then seeming sit there doing nothing, so it isn't clear what benefit they actually have in Fortnite. The truth is that their cutesy appearance is a complete deception and they're actually an offensive weapon, so read on to find out exactly what the Fortnite Cuddle Fish does and how to use it to your advantage.

Fortnite quests | Fortnite gold bars | Fortnite bounties | Fortnite characters | Fortnite crafting | Fortnite weapon upgrades | Fortnite off-road tires | Fortnite wolves | Fortnite raptors | Fortnite investigate an anomaly | Fortnite Joneses | Fortnite golden artifacts | Fortnite literature samples | Fortnite safes | Fortnite research books | Fortnite Guardian Towers

What does the cuttlefish do in Fortnite?

(Image credit: Epic Games)

Once you've hooked a Fortnite cuttlefish out of any fishing spot, which you can do with either a rod or harpoon, what you'll have in your possession is actually a proximity mine. If you throw this at an opponent and make contact, it'll hug on to them and explode shortly afterwards, dealing 35 damage. Throw the Fortnite Cuddle Fish at a surface instead and it'll stick, lying in wait until an enemy passes nearby then leaping towards them to try and attach themselves to the target.

These fish are found in stacks of 3 and can be carried in a stack of up to 6, allowing you place a number of them in a small area to lay a trap, and you can also pick them up again if you need to reposition. For one final trick, you can shoot the cuttlefish once it has been placed to immediately trigger detonation, making them a handy portable explosive as well.

Fortnite patch notes | Fortnite tips | Fortnite Creative codes | Fortnite 2FA | How to enable cross platform Fortnite matches | How to level up fast in Fortnite | How to get free Fortnite V-Bucks | Fortnite Starter Pack | Fortnite map | Fortnite new weapons | Fortnite Season 7

Iain Wilson
Guides Editor

Iain originally joined Future in 2012 to write guides for CVG, PSM3, and Xbox World, before moving on to join GamesRadar in 2013 as Guides Editor. His words have also appeared in OPM, OXM, PC Gamer, GamesMaster, and SFX. He is better known to many as ‘Mr Trophy’, due to his slightly unhealthy obsession with amassing intangible PlayStation silverware, and he now has over 750 Platinum pots weighing down the shelves of his virtual award cabinet. He does not care for Xbox Achievements.

Read more
Outlaw Midas, one of the Fortnite Characters in Chapter 6 Season 2
Fortnite Characters locations in Season 2 of Chapter 6
Fortnite Quests in Chapter 6 Season 2
How to complete Fortnite Quests in Chapter 6 Season 2
Fortnite Dill Bit Display Cases
Fortnite Dill Bit Display Cases: Where to search them
Fortnite Great Turtle
Fortnite Great Turtle: Where to find the giant turtle
Fortnite Black Markets
Fortnite Black Markets: Where are they and how to use them
Fortnite new weapons in Season 2 of Chapter 6
All Fortnite new weapons, vaulted and unvaulted for Season 2 of Chapter 6
Latest in Fortnite
Fortnite Gold Veins
Fortnite Gold Veins: How to mine them for Bars
Fortnite Outlaw Keycard
Fortnite Outlaw Keycard: How to unlock it and what does it do
Fortnite's Lara croft skin in front of a building
Fortnite has had Tomb Raider's Lara Croft locked away in battle pass exclusivity jail for almost 4 years, but she's reportedly getting a new skin very soon
Fortnite Dill Bit Display Cases
Fortnite Dill Bit Display Cases: Where to search them
Fortnite character Jonesy looks shocked in the story trailer for Season X.
Fortnite is now giving cheaters "second chances" with 1-year bans that allow you to use the battle royale like it's Discord and do absolutely nothing else until you're freed from the void
Fortnite Black Markets
Fortnite Black Markets: Where are they and how to use them
Latest in Guides
Assassin's Creed Shadows Naoe and Yasuke outside Hideout
How the Assassin's Creed Shadows Hideout works and the best buildings to get first
Assassin's Creed Shadows dialogue signs
All Assassin's Creed Shadows dialogue symbols explained
Assassin's Creed Shadows Projects
Assassin's Creed Shadows Projects and Anomalies explained
Helldivers 2 Borderline Justice Warbond helldiver using hoverpack to shoot down with hunting rifle
Everything in the Helldivers 2 Borderline Justice Warbond
Assassin's Creed Shadows Tea Ceremony
All Assassin's Creed Shadows tea ceremony best choices and gift
Assassin's Creed Shadows Hideout Resources
How to farm Assassin's Creed Shadows' hideout resources