The MOPy fish is a freeware

Freeware

Freeware is computer software that is available for use at no cost or for an optional fee, but usually with one or more restricted usage rights. Freeware is in contrast to commercial software, which is typically sold for profit, but might be distributed for a business or commercial purpose in the...

 cyberpet, released in October 1997 for Microsoft Windows

Microsoft Windows

Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...

 by Global Beach. It had been downloaded more than 10 million times as of the year 2000. Based on the Blood parrot cichlid fish, the MOPy fish has a complex behavior pattern.

History and Behaviour

First released in 1997, the MOPy fish program holds the Guinness world record for the most downloaded cyberpet. The MOPy fish can remember how it has been treated over the last week, therefore altering its behavior to correspond with its care. The MOPy fish will become aggressive if not fed in five days and becomes depressed in 10 days. If the MOPy fish is neglected and not fed, it will fall sick and die after three weeks. If the fish dies, all the MOPy points accumulated are lost and the fish can only be brought back to life via a menu. Though since MOPy fish is controlled by the digital calendar, the fish can be brought back to life by manipulating the computer's date entry. In 2008 MOPy fish could not be downloaded again.

MOPy Points

For each original document you send to print

Computer printer

In computing, a printer is a peripheral which produces a text or graphics of documents stored in electronic form, usually on physical print media such as paper or transparencies. Many printers are primarily used as local peripherals, and are attached by a printer cable or, in most new printers, a...

, you earn MOPy (Multiple Original Printouts) points. The more MOPy points you have, the more accessories for your fish can be earned, making your fish happier, and enhancing the appearance of the on screen environment. The accessories are as follows:

• 800 points: Rock and Plant
• 1600 points: Bubbles
• 2400 points: Thermometer
• 3200 points: Aphrodisiac
  Aphrodisiac
  An aphrodisiac is a substance that increases sexual desire. The name comes from Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of sexuality and love. Throughout history, many foods, drinks, and behaviors have had a reputation for making sex more attainable and/or pleasurable...
  
  Fish Food
• 20 points: Baby fish

You must download the Aphrodisiac Fish Food with a key you get after 3200 points; however, it is no longer available from HP. The site http://www.hp.com/go/fish is no longer active, with only an archived version available.

The program, Aphrodisiac Fish Food, a hack to accumulate points, as well as some additional add-ons are still available from http://www.greganti.org/mopyfish/index.html

Problem with Newer Versions of Windows

Problems have been seen when running MOPy Fish on Windows XP and above. Most notably that the screen saver does not appear in the Windows screen saver list, or does not start after the specified timeout. One known fix is to rename the mopyfish.scr file located in the Windows directory to SSmopyfish.scr