People in the Pokémon universe are not so different from us. They live, love, and eat. Do they eat Pidgeys or Alcremie as dessert?
They likely eat fish (or all of them live as vegans).
But which fishy Pokémon are good for eating? Which fish are best suited to battle? Which one should you keep as a companion?
Looking through heart-shaped cuties to vicious predators, we’re ranking the 20 best fish Pokémon in the entire franchise to help you get to know the many fishy friends that populate the Poké universe.
20. Basculin
There are certain kinds of fish, such as Betta fish, that are so territorial you can’t even have two of them in adjacent fish tanks.
Such is the case of Basculin, the Hostile Pokémon.
This Unova region fish Pokémon is extremely protective of its turf. It’ll end up fighting other pocket monsters and fighting among themselves for control over their living space.
The most popular varieties, Red Striped Basculin and Blue Striped Basculin are the most heated.
Despite the feisty nature, this water-type remains better suited to make fish sticks than fight in Pokémon battles. Their Speed and Attack values are decent but they’re (in most respects) mediocre overall.
19. Qwilfish
While Basculin is well-suited for some fishy treats, the next Pokémon in our list is more of a delicacy.
Regarded as the Balloon Pokémon for its tendency to puff up when endangered, Johto’s Qwilfish has a lot in common with the Fugu puffer-fish.
These rare creatures are highly valued in Asia due to their subtle taste and numbing sensation on the tongue. It is because they are able to use the toxins in their natural environment to defend themselves.
This water/poison-type has similar characteristics.
Since it’s not a fast swimmer by any means, Qwilfish will rather Intimidate its opponent by puffing up. Other Pokémon would be smart to avoid contact since its Poison Point ability turns a mere prickle from their spikes into a big health concern.
18. Remoraid
It’s always fun to see the different interactions between Pokémon in the wild.
Remoraid is one such sea creature.
Remoraid can be found in the Johto area, swimming close to the Mantine and eating their leftovers as well as the skin impurities.
This water gun can make these tiny creatures very powerful if they are endangered. Although a pretty basic move, it travels at breakneck speeds and can hit targets up to 300 ft away.
This skill has earned this little guy the title of the “Jet Pokémon”.
17. Stunfisk
Surprisingly, not all fish Pokémon are water-types. Despite the fact that they all live in water bodies,
As a ground/electric-type, Stunfisk is a great example of this phenomenon. This hardy fish conceals itself in the mud of the seashore to catch oblivious prey by using its static ability to paralyze them once they’re close enough.
Even if they’re stepped-on, their hard skin protects them from damage and provides it with high HP and Sp. Defense.
It is also immune to electric-type moves making it a durable aquatic critter in combat.
16. Luvdisc
Back when it was introduced in generation III, Luvdisc quickly became notorious for its remarkably simple yet very cute heart-shaped design.
It’s known as the Rendezvous Pokémon since it’s said that couples who run into this creature while out at sea will remain together in bliss for the rest of their lives.
This is more common in the tropics where Luvdisc have been known to congregate near coral reefs turning the water pink.
15. Lanturn
Another fishy Pokémon valued for its beauty is Lanturn.
This dual water/electric-type is the final form of Chinchou, and it’s known to illuminate the seas they inhabit with the lights dangling from their antennae.
They also use them as blinds to catch their prey.
In combat, this cute creature doesn’t have much to offer other than plenty of HP and heightened survivability thanks to either the Water Absorb or Volt Absorb abilities. It may be useful in single-player runs but don’t expect too much in competitive settings.
14. Bruxish
Sometimes Game Freak makes some design decisions that are… questionable, to say the least.
Bruxish is beautiful and multicolored. Its eyes are stunning. But that mouth… it’s just something I can’t stop thinking about.
This mouth design is something I cannot forget, even when the water/psychic-type looks away from me during a battle.
As if that wasn’t enough, it also makes the horrible sound of gnashing teeth when using its psychic powers to cause headaches to its opponents. Simply nightmarish… but unique enough to warrant the 14th spot on our list. And definitely worth adding into your team if you’re a fan.
13. Whiscash
On the other side of the spectrum we have Whiscash, a cute and amiable-looking catfish.
With a placid look on its face and a simple color scheme, Whiscash is easily overlooked when compared to other watery ocean Pokémon.
Its water/ground typing and solid stats make it an excellent companion for your Hoenn trip.
However you should know that its calm appearance disappears once it senses that its territory is being threatened. He may be frightened by your pursuit and start to thrash around in the water in an effort to keep others away.
12. Carvanha
In contrast, the next fish in our ranking would rather share its space with others of its kind instead of keeping everyone away.
Carvanha are dangerous denizens of Hoenn’s waters, with teeth strong enough to pierce the hull of most sailing vessels.
This viciousness has earned it the name of the Savage Pokémon, which is appropriate for a creature that’s essentially an oversized piranha.
Despite being so strong – having great Attack although it’s not fully evolved – this water/dark dual type is cautious and will become timid when not in a swarm.
11. Lumineon
Even though Pokémon is a game that revolves around battles, many creatures in the universe are better suited for exhibitions rather than fights.
At least I think that’s the case with Lumineon, the beautiful Neon Pokémon from the Sinnoh region.
It develops from Finneon and leaves behind its cutesy appearance to become a stunning mature form.
This amazing water type perfectly represents the concept of a traditional fish.
And it’d look amazing in a dark aquarium made to mimic its habitat in the depths of the sea. It may be seen crawling on the seafloor, using its bottom fins like tiny feet. Adorable!
10. Barraskewda
The Galarian region didn’t contribute much to Pokémon’s ecosystem in the way of fish. This menacing sea creature is a great example of Galarian fauna.
Barraskewda is well-known for its razor-sharp blade, which it uses for hunting prey.
Don’t even think of swimming when this water-type is around! If one chooses to pierce you, you won’t even notice it coming at breakneck speeds toward you until it’s too late.
This gives you an advantage in battle with great Speed and Attack value. But don’t expect this glass cannon to take more than a few hits before going down.
9. Gorebyss
Not all dangerous fish are as visually vicious as Barraskewda.
Some, like Gorebyss, are deceptively cute.
But don’t be fooled by looks! This pink creature is equally dangerous and more alarming than the others.
Instead of skewering its prey, Gorebyss inserts its thin mouth into opponents and sucks out their bodily fluids, leaving the carcass for other Pokémon to consume.
This monster is a brilliant one, and it is beautiful and strong in battle.
8. Alomomola
Since having one heart-shaped pink fish wasn’t enough, Game Freak decided to include a second one in generation 5.
Weirdly enough, Alomomola is focused a lot on health and it’s the answer for those of us who don’t like going to the doctor.
That’s because the membrane enveloping this Pokémon’s body has strong healing capabilities that it uses to help others in need.
Alomomola is able to save you money on hospital visits and also appears to be an expert in eyeliner. It would make an excellent companion for Instagram makeup celebrities.
7. Feebas
If we’re talking about beauty then we can’t ignore Feebas, the most ubiquitous fish Pokémon in the Hoenn region.
Although this fish is strong and powerful, it can look ugly. But that’s just because of its environment.
Although it can survive in the most polluted streams, its body mirrors its surroundings and gives it this strange visual appearance.
Feebas can be captured and taken care of by trading or giving it Beauty poffins. And let me tell you that Milotic is probably the most beautiful Pokémon in the entire underwater world.
Sometimes, it’s all about potential.
6. Goldeen
It’s hard to let go of the past for classic gamers. And few things are more classic than Goldeen, the truly original goldfish Pokémon.
Back in the first generation of games we didn’t have all these fancy pink fish with psychic powers and ultrasonic speeds.
We had goldfish with ears. This was enough.
Goldeen may not be the strongest asset in a Pokémon battle. This fish, with its beautiful fins that look like a dress, has been popular over the years.
5. Seaking
As it grows, your Goldeen is likely to evolve into a Seaking.
Seaking, like all evolutions, is a stronger version of your Goldeen with colors that are similar to a koi.
These Pokémon can usually be found swimming up rivers in the Autumn to breed, much like salmon do. Seaking prefers to create nests from underwater boulders with its horn, which is not the case for salmon.
While Goldeen and Seaking seem to be the two genders of one same species, there’s actually both male and female of each(in similar amounts to boot!)
4. Wishiwashi
Despite not being the strongest Pokémon around, there’s no doubt Wishiwashi is one of the coolest and most interesting in this list.
First introduced in generation VII as the Small Fry Pokémon, Wishiwashi are the weaklings of the sea. They are the very bottom of food chain!
They also have a secret weapon.
Wishiwashi will release a shiny substance from their eyes when threatened. This is a signal to other Wishiwashi that they are willing to assist in combat.
Together they become Wishiwashi’s School Form, a giant beast made of smaller individuals. You can see the strength in numbers!
3. Relicanth
Now if you’re looking for a Pokémon that needs nothing else to be formidable, Relicanth is the lifeform you’ll wanna fish for.
Known as the Longevity Pokémon, this water/rock dual type has existed in the Pokémon universe without much change for millennia.
It is found in the deepest sea depths. And apparently it’s already the perfect life form for its environment. It’s quite an accomplishment!
It’s based on Coelacanth, a kind of prehistoric fish once thought extinct but rediscovered in 1938 after a live specimen was found in South Africa. This fish has a very interesting history and not only is it badass.
2. Eelektross
Few members of the “fish-like” family are actually any good in combat.
Eelektross is an exception.
This nightmarish creature, despite being a water dweller, spends most of its time in air because it has the Levitate ability. This makes it immune to ground type moves.
It is an Electric-type so its only weakness is not to ground type moves.
Eelektross can take quite a few hits before it falls and can stay on its own for quite some time. Plus thanks to its excellent offensive capabilities it’ll make each turn count.
You can bet that eel is a fish, my fellow readers.
1. Magikarp
According to the Pokédex, the top spot in our fish ranking is “the most weak and pathetic Pokémon in the world”.
It’s a question of why it is here.
Because sometimes it’s about the long-term goal!
Despite being so comically weak, the OG fish Pokémon can thrive in waters all over the world.
Even though it’s a favorite snack for both humans and other Pokémon, the Magikarp population never seems to dwindle.
And if one endures the hardships of life long enough it’ll turn into a Gyarados, one of the most formidable Pokémon to be found in the original 151. Who’s weak and pathetic now?
