Minecraft's 1.13 Aquatic Update changed the oceans forever — but it left a lot on the table. Upgrade Aquatic Mod picks up where Mojang left off, expanding oceans, rivers, and underwater structures with new creatures, functional blocks, and mechanics that feel like they belong in vanilla. With over 1.7 million downloads on Modrinth, it has become one of the most trusted ocean overhaul mods in the community.
Key Features
- New aquatic mobs — Encounter the Thrasher, a fearsome shark-like predator, along with the Barnacle (originally Mob A from MineCon 2017) and other creatures that bring life to empty ocean biomes.
- Ocean Monument overhaul — Makes ocean monuments more interesting to explore, giving players better reasons to gear up and dive deep.
- Expanded Drowned progression — New loot tables and creatures tied to the Drowned ecosystem, adding depth to underwater combat and rewards.
- Enhanced vanilla blocks — Nautilus shells, Prismarine, and coral blocks gain new functions and crafting uses, making previously decorative items more practical.
- Community-requested content — Features the Minecraft community asked for during the original Aquatic Update but never received, now brought to life.
- Insomnia system improvements — Reworks the Phantom spawning mechanic to be more intuitive and controllable, with slight expansions to the system.
Screenshots
How to Install
- Download and install Minecraft Forge or NeoForge for your Minecraft version.
- Download the Upgrade Aquatic Mod file matching your game version from the link below.
- Open your Minecraft directory and navigate to the
modsfolder (create it if it doesn't exist). - Drop the downloaded
.jarfile into themodsfolder. - Launch Minecraft using your Forge or NeoForge profile and enjoy.
Requirements
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Mod Loader | Minecraft Forge or NeoForge |
| Dependencies | Minecraft Forge / NeoForge Installer |
| Minecraft Version | 1.14.4, 1.15.2, 1.16.5, 1.18.2, 1.19.2, 1.21 – 1.21.1 |
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Adds meaningful content that feels like a natural extension of vanilla Minecraft
- Includes community-requested mobs like the Thrasher and Barnacle
- Actively maintained with NeoForge support for 1.21.1
- Improves existing mechanics (insomnia, ocean monuments) rather than just adding new ones
- Large download count signals a reliable, well-tested mod
Cons
- Forge-only for older versions — no Fabric support available
- Some versions (1.17, 1.20) are not supported, which may limit modpack compatibility
- Uses a custom license (Abnormals License) rather than a standard open-source license
Download
Always download mods from official sources to stay safe.
What's New
- Removed rescaling from the Nautilus model for a cleaner visual appearance.
- Fixed Mulberry Vines not being able to be fully bonemealed.
- Updated internal tags for NeoForge consistency and compatibility.
FAQ
Is Upgrade Aquatic compatible with NeoForge?
Yes. The latest version of Upgrade Aquatic supports NeoForge for Minecraft 1.21 and 1.21.1. Older versions (1.14.4 through 1.19.2) use Minecraft Forge instead.
Does Upgrade Aquatic add sharks to Minecraft?
It adds the Thrasher, a shark-like sea monster that serves as a new ocean predator. The mod also introduces the Barnacle, which was originally Mob A from the MineCon 2017 mob vote.
Can I use Upgrade Aquatic with other ocean mods?
Upgrade Aquatic is designed to expand vanilla ocean content, so it generally works alongside other mods. However, since it modifies ocean monuments and Drowned behavior, check for conflicts with mods that change the same features.
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