Waterslug
A small, docile shallow-water creature found throughout the Kelp Forest biome. Completely harmless, easy to scan, and useful as an early water source before you work toward the Water Secretion Biomod.
Updated 2026-10-04.
Core facts
Behaviour
Waterslugs drift slowly through Kelp Forest cover, feeding on algae. They flee on player approach but do not retaliate when struck — neither with the Survival Multitool nor with vehicle bumps. Damaging one accomplishes nothing tactical and wastes a sample window.
With the Bioscanner, Water Slug contributes to Water Secretion. This passive ability produces water over time; check the Biolab for its unlock and loadout slot before planning a longer trip around it.
Survival and scan tips
- Distil one Waterslug for early drinking water before you push past 30 metres. Hydration loss is a stealth killer in the first session.
- Once you have Digestion Adaptation, Waterslug meat is edible but not the most efficient hunger source. Cooked fish is better.
- Scan calmly from the side or below; chasing it through kelp wastes oxygen for very little gain.
- Use the Bioscanner on Water Slug for the Water Secretion passive Biomod.
Questions people ask
Is the Waterslug dangerous?
No. Waterslugs are passive — they flee from the player and from larger fauna, and they do not retaliate even when struck. They are one of the safest creatures in the game and a good target for practising scanner timing.
What does Waterslug DNA give you?
Water Slug is the bioscan target for Water Secretion in PC build 128456. This passive Biomod produces drinking water over time. Check the Biolab for the ability and equip it in your loadout; it can also be granted by a Biolab.
Where do Waterslugs spawn?
They are distributed throughout the shallow Kelp Forest biome that wraps the Lifepod's starting area. Look low along the kelp stalks and the seafloor between fronds. Several spawn within easy oxygen range of any new save.
Can you eat a Waterslug?
Eating a Waterslug raw is risky before you cure Digestive Incompatibility. Distilling one through the Lifepod Fabricator produces drinking water, which is the main early-game use. Once you have Digestion Adaptation, fish-based food sources are more efficient than slug meat.
Related pages
Bioscanner rewards and Biomod research
Bring the Bioscanner for biological research. These abilities include this species in their bioscan requirements. Visit a Biolab to review and equip the abilities you unlock.
- Water Secretion Passive
Produces drinking water over time.
Bioscan checklist: Water Slug.
Ability requirements and additional passive slots are separate forms of progress. Use the Biomod bioscan checklist to choose the next species for your route. Reviewed for PC build 128456.