Count active species
Each different fish type in the bar is an unfinished commitment. Limit how many species you open at once.
Pairs are useful, not automatically safe
A pair still occupies two spaces. Keep it only when the third fish is visible or will be revealed by the next clear.
Prioritize chain reveals
The best triple clears space and exposes another fish that joins an existing pair. Look for these two-step sequences.
Know the reset point
If every visible choice adds a new species and no triple is close, restart before spending a booster.