Each box contains a rulebook along with 115 Cards of 7 different types:

• 5 Reference Cards

• 20 Aquarium Cards

• 21 Hermit Crab Cards

• 34 Crabitat Cards

• 16 Combo Cards

• 15 Ability Cards

• 4 Trap Cards

To setup the game, separate the cards into piles. A dedicated Hermit Crab deck, a pile for the Aquarium Cards, and shuffle together any remaining cards with a red back into a draw deck. These decks all go into the center of the table.

To start, each player is given a Hermit Crab, and an Aquarium Card that they place face up in front of them.

Additionally, each player gets 6 cards to start their hand from the draw deck.

If you received the Aquarium with highest number in the corner, you go first!

Each player may also get a reference card to be able to quickly reference the rules during play.

Players start their turn by drawing until they have 6 cards if they start with less than that from the draw deck. Afterwards, they have 2 action points to spend. Some actions are free while others cost their points:

0 Action Points:

• Play a Crabitat Card

• Play a Combo Card

• Play an Ability Card

• Use a Hermit Crab

1 Action Point:

• Upgrade Aquarium

• Adopt a Hermit Crab

• Draw or Discard a card

2 Action Points:

• Discard Hand and Draw 6 New Cards

To finish the game, one of two conditions must be met:

• The first player to adopt 4 Hermit Crabs wins.

• The first player to adopt 3 Hermit Crabs of the same type wins.