How to Tame Istiophorus in ARK

Complete walkthrough for taming Istiophorus: gear, food, knockout strategy, and tips.

Quick Facts

1. Prepare your gear
Bring Tranq Arrows or Tranq Darts, a Crossbow or Longneck Rifle, Narcotics or Narcoberries, and bug repellent.
2. Locate the creature
Find a wild Istiophorus on supported maps. Check the spawn map and bring a fast mount or a flyer for transport.
3. Knock it out
Istiophorus is a knockout tame. Use a Crossbow, Longneck Rifle with Tranq Darts, or Shocking Tranq Darts. Aim for the head for bonus torpor and keep distance to avoid aggro damage.
4. Feed the right food
Place Kibble (preferred) in its inventory (alternatives: Species-appropriate food). Higher-tier food gives faster taming and higher level bonuses.
5. Maintain torpor
Watch the torpor bar. Feed Narcoberries or Narcotics to prevent it from waking up before the tame completes.
6. Claim & saddle
Once tamed, Istiophorus will follow your commands. It cannot be ridden.

Please wait

Complete walkthrough for taming Istiophorus: gear, food, knockout strategy, and tips.

1. Prepare your gear
Bring Tranq Arrows or Tranq Darts, a Crossbow or Longneck Rifle, Narcotics or Narcoberries, and bug repellent.
2. Locate the creature
Find a wild Istiophorus on supported maps. Check the spawn map and bring a fast mount or a flyer for transport.
3. Knock it out
Istiophorus is a knockout tame. Use a Crossbow, Longneck Rifle with Tranq Darts, or Shocking Tranq Darts. Aim for the head for bonus torpor and keep distance to avoid aggro damage.
4. Feed the right food
Place Kibble (preferred) in its inventory (alternatives: Species-appropriate food). Higher-tier food gives faster taming and higher level bonuses.
5. Maintain torpor
Watch the torpor bar. Feed Narcoberries or Narcotics to prevent it from waking up before the tame completes.
6. Claim & saddle
Once tamed, Istiophorus will follow your commands. It cannot be ridden.