A Streamer’s Fish Left Pokémon and Spent Money in the Shop

1. The Automated Setup

A Japanese YouTuber known as Mutekimaru created an innovative motion-tracking system for his pet betta fish. The custom hardware detected the fish's swimming position inside its tank and translated those coordinates into controller button inputs. This setup allowed the aquatic pet to play various titles in the Pokémon franchise during live-streamed broadcasts. Over several years, the fish accumulated thousands of hours of gameplay progress.

Motion sensors translated swimming patterns into game inputs.

2. The Live Broadcast

The creator initiated a celebratory streaming session featuring Pokémon Violet as part of the channel's final project. Spectators watched online as the betta fish navigated virtual environments and engaged in battles. Automated camera feeds displayed both the aquarium tank and the game interface simultaneously to viewers. The broadcast proceeded normally until an unexpected software crash interrupted the session.

A software error abruptly terminated active gameplay.

3. Return to Home

Following the crash error, the Nintendo Switch console automatically reverted to its main system home screen. With the game closed, subsequent button signals from the fish began interacting directly with operating system menus. Unaware that the stream remained active, the owner was temporarily away from his desk. The fish continued swimming back and forth, unknowingly triggering various system applications.

Unattended menu navigation began on the system interface.

4. Account Alterations

The continuous inputs first accessed the system user settings menu. The fish navigated through onscreen keyboards and successfully altered the owner's account profile name. Viewers watched in astonishment as the username transformed into a random string of characters. The aquatic gamer then proceeded to access online networking menus without interruption.

Profile settings were modified during the automated inputs.

5. Storefront Access

Continuing its journey across the home screen, the fish launched the digital Nintendo eShop application. The menu navigation inadvertently opened stored payment details linked to the user's account. Personal credit card information flashed visibly across the live video stream for a brief period. Viewers flooded the chat room as they realized sensitive financial data had been broadcast publicly.

Stored payment information appeared on the live broadcast.

6. Unauthorized Purchase

Before corrective intervention occurred, the fish's movements triggered a checkout confirmation prompt within the store interface. The system completed a small monetary transaction to add funds to the user balance. Additional rewards were claimed, and a classic gaming application began downloading to the console storage. PayPal confirmation requests were similarly dispatched during the automated sequence.

The system processed an unauthorized digital purchase.

7. Accidental Sleep Mode

After completing its unauthorized digital shopping expedition, the fish triggered a system power option. The console finally entered sleep mode, terminating the active broadcast feed and cutting off further input signals. The stream went offline shortly before the astonished owner returned to inspect the equipment. Review of the recorded footage confirmed the sequence of bizarre events.

The console entered sleep mode and ended the stream.

8. Support Resolution

The console inputs continued after Pokémon closed, moving through system menus and adding 500 yen to the owner’s account. Mutekimaru later said Nintendo refunded the spending after he explained the incident. The fish were triggering a controller system through their positions in the tank; they were not choosing purchases with an understanding of the store. The broadcast had shown the same inputs reaching a different interface.

Nintendo refunded the spending, according to the creator.

Sources

• UPI: Fish uses owner's Nintendo account
• ITmedia: Reporting on the fish-controlled livestream