Manual — Finspan: Tubarões e Recifes

1
COMPONENTS
5 coral reef overlays
3 achievement tiles
75 fish cards
5 starter fish cards
90 coral tokens
5 player aids
1 achievement board
1 scorepad
FINFINSPAN
designed by Michael O’Connell
developed by David Gordon and Elizabeth Hargrave
art by Ana María Martínez and Catalina Martínez
1-5 players · 45-60 minutes · ages 10+ · competitive
SHARKS & REEFS
Sharks & Reefs dives deeper into the marine ecosystem of Finspan. This
expansion introduces beautiful new coral reef habitats to your ocean
mat and more incredible sharks—with fearsome new abilities!
OVERVIEW & GOAL
In addition to all the gameplay variety of Finspan, players can now
nurture colorful coral reefs in each of their ocean's three dive sites.
Healthy reefs enable you to play powerful reef fish, unlock fish abilities,
and score bonuses at the end of the game. Meanwhile, sharks scatter
schools of young (to form even more schools elsewhere) and leave
behind food scraps that any fish in your ocean can consume.
The solo mode components are listed in the Nautoma
rulebook. Replacement parts can be requested via the form at
stonemaiergames.com/replacement-parts.
END OF WEEK
ACHIEVEMENTS—SIDE B
WEEK 1
WEEK 3
WEEK 2
WEEK 4
At the end of weeks 1 through 3:
a. Score points for this week’s
achievement tile.
b. The player (or players) who received
the most points from this week’s
achievement tile also scores
3 additional points.
c. Retrieve all divers.
d. Rotate the first-player token clockwise.
Activate any
“GAME END” abilities
on fish in your ocean
(in any order).
Then go to scoring.
SCORING
a. GAME END points
b. Points printed on visible fish
c. / : 1 point each
d. : 6 points each
e. : 1 point each
f. : 1 point each + bonus points for
complete reefs
ACHIEVEMENTS—SIDE A
At the end of weeks 1 through 3:
a. Score points for this week’s
achievement.
b. Retrieve all divers.
c. Rotate the first-player token clockwise.
WEEK 1
WEEK 3
WEEK 2
WEEK 4
Activate any
“GAME END” abilities
on fish in your ocean
(in any order).
Then go to scoring.
2
SCHOOLS
2
ROWS OF FISH
EGGS AND/OR
YOUNG
1
/
END OF WEEK
SCORING
a. GAME END points
b. Points printed on visible fish
c. / : 1 point each
d. : 6 points each
e. : 1 point each
f. : 1 point each + bonus points for
complete reefs
Choose a fish from your hand with the
characteristic shown (if any), and play it for free
(do not pay its cost).
Discard a school token from your ocean, then
place 1 young in each of four different slots. If
you do not have a school token to discard, place
1 young instead.
As a cost: Play this fish for free (it has no cost).
SR
As a requirement: You may only play this fish in
a dive site that has at least the number of coral
shown.
As a benefit: If there are fewer than 6 coral in the
indicated dive site, place 1 coral from the supply
there (at no cost).
Single-color coral icons indicate a specific dive
site; multicolor icons indicate “any single dive
site” in your ocean instead.
ABILITY ICONOGRAPHY
A fish in your ocean consumes a shorter
fish from your hand (tuck it underneath).
SR
AMERICAN
POCKET SHARK
Mollisquama mississippiensis
1
14
cm
Besides clusters of photophores on its
body, it has two pockets near its gills that
secrete a luminous fluid.
WHEN PLAYED:
SR
As a requirement:
You may only play this fish in
a dive site that has at least the number of coral
shown.
NAME:
AFRICAN COELACANTH
Latimeria chalumnae
Its oldest known fossils date back 410
million years. Once thought extinct, “the
living fossil” was discovered in 1938.
4
20
cm
WHEN PLAYED:
SR
FISH IN THE
SUNLIGHT ZONE
SR
<4
FISH BETWEEN
1 – 3 POINTS
SR
CORAL
2
reef completion bonus: 8 reef completion bonus: 6 reef completion bonus: 5
The bristlemouth (cyclothone) is the most abundant
vertebrate genus on the planet, providing food to
many species of fish.
SHOWY BRISTLEMOUTH
As a requirement:
3
cm
reef completion bonus: 8 reef completion bonus: 6 reef completion bonus: 5
The bristlemouth (cyclothone) is the most abundant
vertebrate genus on the planet, providing food to
many species of fish.
SHOWY BRISTLEMOUTH
As a requirement:
3
cm
S&R_Rulebook_r10.indd 1

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2
SETUP
INITIAL COMBINING OF PREVIOUS AND NEW COMPONENTS
1 Shuffle the new fish cards into the fish deck.
2 Shuffle the new starter fish cards in with the other starter fish.
3 Replace the original achievement board and scorepad with their new versions.
4 Shuffle the new achievement tiles in with the original tiles.
GLOBAL & PLAYER SETUP
After standard Finspan setup, perform the following:
A Place the coral tokens in the general supply.
B If using side B of the achievement board, randomly select 1 tile per matching slot.
Important: Always ensure that the chosen tiles’ week-number lines match the lines on the board.
C Each player places either side of any coral reef overlay on their ocean mat, covering the existing twilight () zone.
D Each player gains a Sharks & Reefs player aid.
You can skip the rulebook and instead watch a rules video at stonemaiergames.com/games/finspan/rules-faq.
END OF WEEK
ACHIEVEMENTS—SIDE B
WEEK 1
WEEK 3
WEEK 2
WEEK 4
At the end of weeks 1 through 3:
a. Score points for this week’s achievement tile.
b. The player (or players) who received the most points from this week’s achievement tile also scores 3 additional points.
c. Retrieve all divers.
d. Rotate the first-player token clockwise.
Activate any “GAME END” abilities on fish in your ocean (in any order).
Then go to scoring.
SCORING
a. GAME END points
b. Points printed on visible fish
c. / : 1 point each
d. : 6 points each
e. : 1 point each
f. : 1 point each + bonus points for complete reefs
SR
1
<4
FISH BETWEEN
1 – 3 POINTS
ALIGN WEEK-
NUMBER LINES
B
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3
A
C
D
S&R_Rulebook_r10.indd 3 9/3/25 9:42 PM

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COMMON BLUESTRIPE SNAPPER
Lutjanus kasmira
It has a varied diet, feeding on fishes, shrimps, crabs, and crustaceans, as well as plant and algae material.
40 cm SR

FURRY COFFINFISH
Chaunax endeavouri
It can increase its size up to 30% by inflating its body with water and holding its breath up to four minutes.
22 cm SR

REEF FISH
REQUIRED
CORAL
(for this benefit)
CORAL REEFS
GAINING CORAL
You may grow your coral reefs using coral from diving as well as from fish abilities. A dive site may never have more than 6 coral in it.
Whenever your diver moves onto your coral reef overlay during a dive, if that dive site has fewer than 6 coral and if you discard the indicated item (egg, young, or card), then you may place 1 coral from the supply into the reef at that dive site. You may do this at most once per dive.
Whenever you gain coral as a benefit from a fish ability, you do not need to pay anything for it. Simply gain the coral from the supply and place it in a coral reef (as instructed by the card).
CORAL ICONOGRAPHY
The colors of the coral icons on the fish cards (, , or ) indicate the dive site where coral must be present (as a requirement) or where coral may be placed (as a benefit). The multicolor coral icon () indicates “any dive site.”
CORAL REQUIREMENTS
Reef fish require 1 or 2 coral (as specified on the card) to already be present in the dive site before you play them there. Reef fish may only be played in the Sunlight Zone (as shown on their card).
Whenever a fish card indicates a coral requirement, that coral must be present at the same dive site (unless otherwise stated).
• The indicated requirement is a minimum; you may have more coral than required to play a reef fish or gain a benefit.

CATALINA GOBY
1 cm

SHOWY BRISTLEMOUTH
The bristlemouth (cyclothone) is the most abundant vertebrate genus on the planet, providing food to many species of fish.
3 cm

GLAS HEAD GRENADIER
Living at depths up to 1,400 meters, this tiny fish feeds on even tinier crustaceans.
9 cm

The bristlemouth (cyclothone) is the most abundant vertebrate genus on the planet, providing food to many species of fish.
SHOWY BRISTLEMOUTH
3 cm

ANGULAR ROUGHSHARK
Oxynotus centrina
It has a wide pink snout, massive nostrils, and pronounced dermal denticles, giving it a furry, pig-like appearance.
4 cm SR

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REQUIRED
CORAL
(for this benefit)
NEW FISH ABILITIES
Some fish have two-part abilities with coral requirements. When you
activate one of these abilities, start by choosing whether to gain the
first benefit. Then, if you meet the coral requirement, you may gain
the second benefit. If you do not meet the coral requirement, you
may still gain the first benefit. Similarly, if you choose not to gain the
first benefit, you may still gain the second (if you have enough coral
in that dive site). However, you only gain the second benefit after you
gain or decline the first.

FURRY COFFINFISH
Chaunax endeavouri
It can increase its size up to 30% by
inflating its body with water and holding
its breath up to four minutes.
1
22
cm
As a requirement: You may only play this fish in a dive
site that has at least the number of coral shown.
As a benefit: If there are fewer than 6 coral in the
indicated dive site, place 1 coral from the supply there
(at no cost).
Single-color coral icons indicate a specific dive site;
multicolor icons indicate “any single dive site” in your
ocean instead.
As a cost: Play this fish for free (it has no cost).
Choose a fish from your hand with the characteristic
shown (if any), and play it for free (do not pay its cost).
Discard a school token
from your ocean, then
place 1 young in each
of four different slots. If
you do not have a school
token to discard, place 1
young instead.
A fish in your ocean consumes a shorter
fish from your hand (tuck it underneath).

CATALINA GOBY
Typically found in areas strewn with rocks, these tiny
brightly-colored fish are popular in nano aquariums.
1
cm
The bristlemouth (cyclothone) is the most abundant
vertebrate genus on the planet, providing food to
many species of fish.
SHOWY BRISTLEMOUTH
3
cm
GLAS HEAD GRENADIER
Living at depths up to 1,400 meters, this tiny fish
feeds on even tinier crustaceans.
9
cm
reef completion bonus: 8 reef completion bonus: 6 reef completion bonus: 5
The bristlemouth (cyclothone) is the most abundant
vertebrate genus on the planet, providing food to
many species of fish.
SHOWY BRISTLEMOUTH
Typical found
3
cm

FLAME ANGELFISH
Centropyge loriculus
The male fish are slightly larger than the
females, and the blue streaks along the
fins are more apparent.
2
15
cm

AMERICAN
POCKET SHARK
Mollisquama mississippiensis
1
14
cm
Besides clusters of photophores on its
body, it has two pockets near its gills that
secrete a luminous fluid.
WHEN PLAYED:
SR

BASKING SHARK
Cetorhinus maximus
A filter feeder and the second-largest
known living fish, the basking shark can
be found in all temperate oceans.
1,500
cm
10

ARMORED SEAROBIN
Peristedion miniatum
The armored searobin’s body is completely
covered in a heavy plating composed of
four rows of bony spiny scales.
1
30
cm

ANGULAR
ROUGHSHARK
Oxynotus centrina
It has a wide pink snout, massive nostrils,
and pronounced dermal denticles, giving
it a furry, pig-like appearance.
4
14 5
cm
WHEN PLAYED:

ATLANTIC
BLUEFIN TUNA
Thunnus thynnus
The bluefin tuna is one of the open ocean’s
fastest and strongest predators, reaching
speeds of up to 69 km/hr.
WHEN PLAYED:
7
450
cm

Adding one of the scattered
young here allows you to
make a new school.

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CATALINA GOBY
CATLIAN GOBY
Typically found in areas strewn with rocks, these tiny
brightly-colored fish are popular in nano aquariums.
1 cm
The bristlemouth (cyclothone) is the most abundant
vertebrate genus on the planet, providing food to
many species of fish.
SHOWY BRISTLEMOUTH
SAHWRTLEB MBU3S DTD
3 cm
GLASS HEAD GRENADIER
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Living at depths up to 1,400 meters, this tiny fish
feeds on even tinier crustaceans.
9 cm
FS_PlayerMat_r10.indd 1 7/3/24 5:50 PM
reef completion bonus: 8 reef completion bonus: 6 reef completion bonus: 5
The bristlemouth (cyclothone) is the most abundant
vertebrate genus on the planet, providing food to
many species of fish.
SHOWY BRISTLEMOUTH
CATLIN GO BOY 1cm SNS
3 cm
S&R_ReefOverlay_r4.indd 2 7/29/25 10:02 AM
SCORING
Coral tokens in your ocean are worth 1 point each at the end of the
game. If you have a complete reef of 6 coral in a particular dive
site, also gain the bonus points shown on the overlay for that dive
site: Score 6 points for blue (left), 8 points for purple (center), and
5 points for green (right). These bonus points vary based on the
difficulty of gaining coral in the different dive sites.
SAILFIN FLYING FISH
Parexocoetus brachypterus
When they leave the water, they can fly up to
400 meters at speeds of up to 70 km per hour.
IF ACTIVATED:
3 20 cm
FS_FishCards_r13.indd 98 7/4/24 4:54 PM
FURRY COFFINFISH
Chaunax endeavouri
It can increase its size up to 30% by
inflating its body with water and holding
its breath up to four minutes.
1 22 cm
in this dive site:
also, if
IF ACTIVATED:
SR
S&R_fish_cards_r6.indd 22 7/25/25 8:14 AM
ABYSSAL HALOSAUR
Halosauropsis macrochir
3 90 cm
It often hovers just above the seafloor, pectoral
fins held erect and pointing forward, possibly
serving a sensory function.
WHEN PLAYED:
FS_FishCards_r14.indd 2 2/10/25 9:36 AM
TOOTHY GOBY
Pleurosicya mossambica
Its sucker-like pelvic fins allow the toothy
goby to attach itself to soft corals (such as
bubble coral) and sponges.
IF ACTIVATED:
2 3 cm
SR
S&R_fish_cards_r6.indd 70 7/25/25 8:15 AM
STRIPED EEL CATFISH
Plotosus lineatus
The first dorsal and each of the pectoral
fins have a highly venomous spine.
Wounds may even be fatal to humans.
4 35 cm
WHEN PLAYED:
SR
S&R_fish_cards_r6.indd 64 7/25/25 8:15 AM
4 145 cm
WHEN PLAYED:
ANGULAR
ROUGHSHARK
Oxynotus centrina
It has a wide pink snout, massive nostrils,
and pronounced dermal denticles, giving
it a furry, pig-like appearance.
4 SR
S&R_fish_cards_r6.indd 2 7/25/25 8:14 AM
IF ACTIVATED:
in this dive site:
also, if
BLUERING ANGELFISH
Pomacanthus annularis
The bluering angelfish’s Latin name
means “ringed,” which refers to the small
ring on its body above the gill cover.
2 45 cm
SR
S&R_fish_cards_r6.indd 9 7/25/25 8:14 AM
BLACKTIP SHARK
Carcharhinus limbatus
A fast, active swimmer, it sometimes
makes spinning leaps out of the water
when hunting schooling fishes.
6 285 cm
WHEN PLAYED:
SR
S&R_fish_cards_r6.indd 7 7/25/25 8:14 AM
YELLOW CLOWN GOBY
Gobiodon okinawae
Unlike most gobies, which are burrowers,
these roost in groups of up to 15 in the
outer branches of staghorn corals.
GAME END:
2 3 cm
SR
S&R_fish_cards_r6.indd 73 7/25/25 8:15 AM
FLAME ANGELFISH
Centropyge loriculus
The male fish are slightly larger than the
females, and the blue streaks along the
fins are more apparent.
IF ACTIVATED:
2 15 cm
SR
S&R_fish_cards_r6.indd 19 7/25/25 8:14 AM
HONEYCOMB
SCALY DRAGONFISH
Stomias affinis
This fish can be found in deep waters
during the day and in shallower areas at
night, where it searches for food.
GAME END:
4 22 cm
FS_FishCards_r13.indd 62 7/4/24 4:53 PM
BIGEYE
SMOOTH-HEAD
Bajacalifornia megalops
The genus was first discovered in 1911 off the
coast of the Baja California peninsula, where
its Latin name comes from.
WHEN PLAYED:
4 40 cm
on each
FS_FishCards_r14.indd 18 2/10/25 9:36 AM
MARIANA SNAILFISH
Pseudoliparis swirei
It has been observed at a depth of
8,178 m, making it one of the deepest dwelling
fishes on the planet.
GAME END:
1 28 cm
on each
FS_FishCards_r14.indd 77 2/10/25 9:37 AM
At the end of the game, this player will gain 11 points for their coral
tokens, plus an additional 6 points for filling the blue (left) reef, for a
total of 17 points.
S&R_Rulebook_r10.indd 6 9/3/25 9:42 PM

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7
COMMONLY OVERLOOKED RULES
• If you gain the “recover a card from your discard pile” benefit and your discard pile is empty, gain the top card of the deck instead.
• If you choose to gain a “play a card” benefit (typically for a specific place on your ocean mat), you must pay the card’s cost and follow its placement rules.
• For the dive site benefits (at the top of each zone), you gain the benefit once (not once per fish) if you have at least 1 fish in the dive sight within the same zone.
• You may place a played fish on top of a shorter fish (card or forage) either by choice or to satisfy a consume cost. In other words, as long as the fish you’re playing is bigger than the fish you want to play it on top of, you may play it there. This is most often done to cover the preprinted forage fish, which aren’t worth any points by default (hence why they don’t have the same white background of fish cards).

ACHIEVEMENT TILE DETAILS
Forage fish, printed on your ocean mat, do not have points, so they don’t count for scoring this tile.
Count all the unique types of tags on fish in your ocean. Just as predator and über predator, the electrolocation and electric discharge tags should be treated as unique tags.

BONNETHEAD SHARK
Sphyrna tiburo
The only shark species known to be omnivorous, its diet includes crustaceans, mollusks, small fish, and seagrass.
WHEN PLAYED:
3
145 cm
SR
FISH BETWEEN
1 – 3 POINTS
UNIQUE TAGS
AMONG FISH
etc.
,,
2
This collection of fish has 6 unique tags: bioluminescent (), active electrolocation ()), electric discharge (), predator (), über predator (), and venomous ().

WHITEMARGIN STARGAZER
Uranoscopus sulphureus
This venomous fish has electric organs located in a pouch behind its eyes and can discharge up to 50 volts.
IF ACTIVATED:
4
45 cm
SR
1

WHITE-SPOTTED PUFFER
Arothron hispidus
Also known as the stars-and-stripes puffer, its skin and internal organs are poisonous to humans.
IF ACTIVATED:
((all players)all players)
5
50 cm
SR
ALL UNIQUE TAGS:
bioluminescent
camouflage
active electrolocation
electric discharge
predator
über predator
venomous

ABYSSAL ANGLERFISH
Melanocetus murrayi
2
12 cm
Unlike some anglerfishes, the tiny males of this deepsea blackdevil are not believed to be parasitic.
GAME END:
if no tokens on this fish
3

ANGLER
Lophius piscatorius
The angler uses a special dorsal fin ray to lure passing fish near its mouth, gulping them down.
IF ACTIVATED:
4
200 cm
SR

WHALE SHARK
Rhincodon typus
The largest fish in the world, it may live 130 years. It has over 300 teeth but feeds on tiny fish, shrimp, and plankton.
WHEN PLAYED:
((all players)all players)
12
2,000 cm
on each

S&R_Rulebook_r10.indd 7

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8
© 2025 Stonemaier LLC. Finspan is a trademark of Stonemaier LLC. All Rights Reserved.
WANT TO WATCH A HOW-TO-PLAY VIDEO OR READ THE FAQ?
Go to stonemaiergames.com/games/finspan/rules-faq
HAVE A QUESTION WHILE PLAYING OR A STORY TO SHARE?
Post it on the Finspan Tabletop Game Facebook group, on
BoardGameGeek, or in the Finspan channel of the Stonemaier Games
Discord server: stonemaiergames.com/discord
NEED A REPLACEMENT PART?
Request it at stonemaiergames.com/replacement-parts
WANT TO STAY IN TOUCH?
Subscribe to monthly updates at stonemaiergames.com/e-newsletter
LEAD PLAYTESTERS
Jared Bangs, Anthony Barden, Joshua Calandrillo, Jackman Eschenroeder, Mark Espiridion,
Vitaliy Fuks, David Gordon, Ossian Hawkes, Brett Kerr, Kim Kieffer, Julia Kimmerly,
Gheorghe Orbesteanu, Uriah Otting, Gregory Rempe, Dan Risse, Nathan Smith, Tom Voulieri
PLAYTESTERS
Frank Albenesius, Gray Bangs, Riley Bangs, Lisa Barden, Ellen Calandrillo,
Reese Chappellet, Oana Elena Cozmei, Gian Fabia, Klara Galperina, Jayson Ganzon,
John George, Jennifer Gordon, Elizabeth Hargrave, Wilf Hawkes, Ned Hawkes,
Peter Himot, Andrew Huddleston, Emily Huddleston, Joe Ivancic, Emily Jones, Lauren Kerr,
Kim & Michael Kieffer, Florin Ilarion Miertoiu, Andrei Alexandru Nicolae, Jason O’Connell,
Zachary O’Connell, Heather O’Connell, Matthew Otting, China Pagulayan, Dennis Quearry,
Allison Reiser, James Risse, Geoff Roth, Shelby Rudolph, Megan Sisco, Katie Smith,
Tristan Smith, Rob Stupar, TAM, Miguel Tolentino, Adam Vickery, Natasha Vickery,
Hollie Voulieris, Anisha Zaveri
SPECIAL DEVELOPER
Connie Vogelmann
COPYEDITORS
Dana Rickle, Josh Ward

PROOFREADERS
Brian Chandler, Crystal Nevin, Dana Rickle, Karel Titeca, Josh Ward
GRAPHIC DESIGN
Christine Santana
CONSULTANTS
Brynn Devine, Chief Marine Biologist
Meghan Walker, Marine Biologist
Kyle Krumsick, Marine Biologist
S&R_Rulebook_r10.indd 8
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