Screenshot 1 of 2. A night scene of a dark green forest under a moon and stars, with a small light visible in Vanilla Fireflies.
What Vanilla Fireflies works with.
| Platform | Java Edition |
|---|---|
| Loaders | Fabric, Forge, NeoForge, Quilt |
| Minecraft versions | 1.20.6, 1.21.6, 26.2, 26.3 |
| Environment | Client, Server |
Vanilla Fireflies is a data pack and mod for Minecraft Java that puts ambient fireflies in swamp and mangrove swamp biomes at night. They drift through the open air instead of only hovering near bushes. It runs on Fabric, Forge, NeoForge and Quilt, or as a plain data pack with no loader at all.
It suits anyone who wants swamp and mangrove swamp nights to feel more alive.
Loaders and versions
- Fabric and Quilt: Minecraft 1.20.6 to 26.3. The newest build needs no dependencies, optionally Terralith, Biomes O' Plenty, William Wythers' Expanded Ecosphere, Regions Unexplored, Nature's Spirit and Terrestria.
- Forge and NeoForge: Minecraft 1.21 to 26.3. The newest build needs no dependencies, optionally Terralith, Biomes O' Plenty, William Wythers' Expanded Ecosphere, Regions Unexplored, Nature's Spirit and Terrestria.
Installing as a mod or a data pack
The file ships in two forms, and you pick one route. New to loaders? The guide on installing mods on Java Edition covers the basics.
- Mod route: put the mod file in the mods folder inside .minecraft, then launch with the matching loader profile.
- Data pack route: install the data pack in the world. For a new world, open the Data Packs option on the creation screen and select it.
Adjusting the fireflies
Settings live in an interactive chat menu. Run /function vanilla_fireflies:menu to pick a ready-made mode or open the visual detailed configuration dialog. Players who prefer typing, or who work from command blocks, can call the functions directly.
- /function vanilla_fireflies:amount {amount: } changes only the number of fireflies.
- /function vanilla_fireflies:configure {amount: , speed: , delta_x: , delta_y: , delta_z: } sets everything at once.
- Defaults are amount 60, speed 0.3, delta_x 40, delta_y 10 and delta_z 40.
What to expect
Fireflies appear in vanilla swamps and mangrove swamps after dark, and the modded biomes from the supported list get them too. The trade-off is scope. It does one thing, and tuning the look means typing commands or using the menu rather than editing a settings screen.
Vanilla Fireflies showcase
Questions about Vanilla Fireflies.
4 questions
How do I install the Vanilla Fireflies data pack?
Download the data pack and install it in the world, or select it under the Data Packs option when creating a new world. No mod loader is needed for this route. Once the world loads, fireflies appear in swamp and mangrove swamp biomes at night.
Does Vanilla Fireflies work on multiplayer servers?
Yes, and the server is where it is required. Install the pack or mod there, and players do not need anything on their own side, though a client install is optional. Without it on the server, the world has no fireflies.
How do I change how many fireflies spawn?
Run /function vanilla_fireflies:menu for the chat menu, or use /function vanilla_fireflies:amount with a number. The default amount is 60. The configure function also lets you set speed and the spread along each axis.
Should I use the mod or the data pack?
Choose by setup. The data pack is installed in the world and needs no mod loader. The mod goes in the mods folder and needs Fabric, Forge, NeoForge or Quilt, so it suits players who already run one of those.
