> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://itsfoss.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Using Asciiquarium for Aquarium Like Animation Effects in Linux Terminal - URL: https://itsfoss.com/asciiquarium/ - Published: 2023-11-03T03:59:00.000Z - Updated: 2024-06-10T06:51:54.000Z - Description: Here's a tiny CLI tool to add an aquarium in your Linux terminal. - Author: Sreenath - Tags: Terminal Fun There are a bunch of [Linux command tools that are more for amusement](https://itsfoss.com/funny-linux-commands/) than serious work. Asciiquarium is one of them. It provides a simple aquarium like animation effects in ASCII format for the Linux terminal. ![Running default asciiquarium command](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2023/10/asciiquarium.png) Looks interesting? Let's explore it. ## Install Asciiquarium in Linux If you are using Arch Linux or Fedora, you can install it from your official repositories. Fedora users: ``` sudo dnf install asciiquarium ``` Arch Linux users: ``` sudo pacman -S asciiquarium ``` Asciiquarium is not available in the default repos of Ubuntu. So, you either need to use a prebuilt binary or an external PPA. ### Install Asciiquarium using PPA First, add the PPA for Asciiquarium. ``` sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ytvwld/asciiquarium sudo apt update ``` Now, install the package and its dependencies using: ``` sudo apt install asciiquarium ``` #### Remove PPA To remove the Asciiquarium PPA, first remove the package. ``` sudo apt purge asciiquarium sudo apt autoremove ``` Now, remove the PPA from your system: ``` sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:ytvwld/asciiquarium sudo apt update ``` ### Install Asciiquarium using Binary 🚧 This needs separate Perl modules installed to your system. Also, it will install several Perl related packages to your system. So keep caution. ![Installing Perl Dependencies during the installation process](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2023/10/Installing-perl-dependencies.png) Installing Perl Dependencies To run the binary, you need the Animation and Curses module from CPAN (Comprehensive Perl Archive Network). Install CPAN in Ubuntu using: ``` sudo apt install cpanminus libcurses-perl ``` Now, run: ``` cpan Term::Animation ``` ![Automatic setting up of Animation Module](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2023/10/animation-module-setup.png) Animation Module This will ask for some configuration, just accept the defaults. Once both are set up, download the Asciiquarium release. [Download Asciiquarium](https://robobunny.com/projects/asciiquarium/html/?ref=itsfoss.com) Extract the file. You will get a file called Asciiquarium. Now, make it executable. ![Execution permission for Asciiquarium through Nautilus File Manager](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2023/10/execution-permission-for-asciiquarium.png) Make Asciiquarium Executable To do it via command line, open a terminal there and give the file execution permission [using chmod command](https://linuxhandbook.com/chmod-command/?ref=itsfoss.com). ``` chmod +x asciiquarium ``` Now, to get the animation, you can run inside that location: ``` ./asciiquarium ``` Or you can place the file in a [location that is in your path](https://itsfoss.com/add-directory-to-path-linux/). ## Using Asciiquarium Asciiquarium is a simple program. It does not have any command line options. Once you run `asciiquarium`, you will get the aquarium animation effect on your terminal. ![Running default asciiquarium command](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2023/10/asciiquarium.png) Asciiquarium A couple of in-program keys are supported. - `r`: Repaint the animation - `p`: Pause or Play the animation - `q`: Quit 📋 Also, you can use your Arrow keys to speed up the animation ## FOSS Weekly Newsletter 📬 Read and loved by 24,000 Linux users worldwide Subscribe Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. ### Using Asciiquarium with lolcat If you want to make Asciiquarium more colorful, you can use it with `lolcat`. Install lolcat first using: ``` sudo apt install lolcat ``` Now, run: ``` asciiquarium | lolcat ``` ![Ascciquarium displayed with rainbow colors using lolcat](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2023/10/ascciiquarium-lolcat.png) Asciiquarium Lolcat If you need more animation effect, tweak lolcat accordingly. For example, ``` asciiquarium | lolcat -p 200 ``` ![Asciiquarium displayed with some options applied to lolcat command](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2023/10/lolcat-200.gif) Asciiquarium with lolcat tweaks This will give you various color effects. You can use the `-i` option of lolcat, to invert the colors: ``` asciiquarium | lolcat -i -p 200 ``` ![Use lolcat to invert colors and display asciiquarium](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2023/10/inverted.png) Inverted Colors ## Bonus: XFishTank (your desktop becomes the tank) Another similar fun command is xfishtank. It creates an aquarium on your root window, that is the desktop. You can install it from the official repositories of Ubuntu. ``` sudo apt install xfishtank ``` Once installed, use: ``` xfishtank ``` There are several options which will help you to manage the number of fishes, bubbles etc. [Use the man page](https://itsfoss.com/linux-man-page-guide/) of the command to learn more about it. ``` xfishtank -b 100 -f 15 ``` ![Running "xfishtank" command will give moving fish and bubbles on your screen](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2023/10/xfishtank.png) Xfishtank ## Wrapping Up As you can see, having a fish in your Linux terminal may not get you food but it would lighten up your mood. No a fish lover? Get a cow. [Using Cowsay Linux Command Like a ProThe cowsay is a fun little Linux command line utility that can be enjoyed in so many ways. Here are several examples.![](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/size/w256h256/2022/12/android-chrome-192x192.png)It's FOSSSreenath![](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2023/06/cowsay-linux-1.png)](https://itsfoss.com/cowsay/) Enjoy Linux with these fun stuff :)