Stardew Valley Update Added Secret SpongeBob Reference

A recent Stardew Valley update has added a potential homage to SpongeBob SquarePants, as the pineapple item can now be placed in fish tanks. While Update 1.6 added a boatload of new content to Stardew Valley, the game’s creator, Eric “ConcernedApe” Barone, included a few more surprises in subsequent updates in the weeks following, such as allowing players to place more items in their fish tanks.

While fishing is only one of many things players can do in Stardew Valley, the skill has many benefits. The activity allows players to catch fish and other items that can be used to sell for profit or be cooked into dishes, which can grant potential buffs beyond simply increasing energy and health. In addition, marine life caught from fishing can be used as decorations in fish tanks, providing a way of beautifying a space. Some players have even gone beyond adding a simple tank to their house, designing incredible rooms dedicated to marine life instead. Recently, a new update made decorating fish tanks even better.

As highlighted by Reddit user Emma_JM on the game’s subreddit, Update 1.6.4 for Stardew Valleyadded the option to include the pineapple as a non-fish item in fish tanks. Unsurprisingly, many players believe this was a secret reference to the SpongeBob SquarePants cartoon, specifically the pineapple that the titular sponge calls home. When posting to Reddit, Emma_JM included a screenshot from presumably their in-game fish tank, showing what the tropical fruit looked like underwater. It is worth mentioning that the update added the option to include seven other non-fish items in fish tanks.

Many players were excited by this potential Easter egg related to the SpongeBob SquarePants show. Many users applauded the addition, with the Reddit post already gaining over 3.4K upvotes. In the comments, several users wished that even more items related to the popular Nickelodeon cartoon could be incorporated into fish tanks to better replicate the street that SpongeBob lives