A Mayashell is a type of fish in FFXIV. It is most notable for providing the crafting material Aqueous Glioaether via Aetherial Reduction.
Players can find the animal as a Fisher in the pool of water at The Font of Maya in Thavnair (X: 24.3, Y: 24.5). You must use traditional fishing (i.e. not spearfishing) and should use a Mayfly as bait. Make sure to also activate the “Collect” skill to convert the Mayashell into a Collectible for Aetherial Reduction.
To catch the correct fish, players also need to use the “Mooch” skill. First equip the Mayfly as bait to catch a Handy Hamsa; then Mooch that fish into bait for the Mayashell. The skills “Patience II” and “Precision Hookset” for a weak bite will also provide the greatest chance of catching a large Handy Hamsa for mooching.
Prospective Fishers will also need to have used a Tome of Ichthyological Folklore – Ilsabard and the Northern Empty in order to make the Mayashell appear in the first place. The fish will also only appear between the hours of 3 a.m. and 6 a.m. Eorzea Time. Though there are no special weather requirements.
Players must reach a Gathering stat of at least 2960 and a Perception stat of at least 2480 in order to complete the catch and reach the required Collectability score for Aqueous Glioaether. This may require heavy Materia overmelding as well as the use of a food item buff (as of FFXIV Patch 6.2).
Finally, players have reported that the fish always appears within 13 seconds of mooching a Handy Hamsa. if you don’t feel a bite before 13 seconds pass, use the “Hook” skill to reel in and try again. The Mayashell will appears with a double exclamation, or “!!” symbol, when it bites. Use the skill “Powerful Hookset” to catch it as the fish should have a “strong” bite animation.
And here’s a simple summary of all requirements for those that don’t need the context:
- Requires 2960 Gathering
- Requires 2480 Perception
- Requires Tome of Ichthyological Folklore – Ilsabard and the Northern Empty
- Found at The Font of Maya in Thavnair (X: 24.3, Y: 24.5)
- Available between 03:00 and 06:00 in-game time
- Equip Mayfly as bait
- Use Patience II as well as Precision Hookset on a weak bite to catch a large Handy Hamsa
- Mooch the Handy Hamsa
- Use Powerful Hookset to catch a strong bite within 13 seconds of mooching
Note that, due to the extremely stringent requirements, element of random chance, and in-game time limit, this process may take several tries to work.
