Floatzel and its pre-evolution, Buizel, appear to be based on otters or weasels. Floatzel has two pointed blue fins on its arms and two tails. The yellow flotation device it had as a Buizel appears to have grown and now functions as a boat. It gives the impression of a swimmer with a towel draped around its shoulders. If Floatzel laid on its back, the structure round its neck could also be interpreted as a sort of inflatable dinghy using its tails much like its pre-evolution, as a propeller and its fins as oars. The small fins on Buizel's forelimbs have grown into fully-fledged fins that are used for Razor Wind attacks. Its forelimbs and tails are tipped with cream coloration, and there is a teardrop-shaped orange pattern voided in Floatzel’s cream lower belly. Floatzel also has a circular cream spot in the center of its head, cream-colored eyelids and a pattern of two black triangles on the edges of its cream muzzle, unlike Buizel.
Gender differences
Male Floatzel have two white spots on their back, whereas females have only one.
Special abilities
Floatzel's abilities are essentially the same as Buizel's, but stronger. Floatzel can now attack with Crunch and Ice Fang. As a fully evolved Pokémon, it can learn Hyper Beam and Giga Impact. Its flotation sac can inflate to look like a life vest; in a similar way Buizel can expand its sac, as seen in A Crasher Course in Power!.
Behavior
It floats using its well-developed flotation sac, and it assists in the rescues of drowning people.
Floatzel, the Sea Weasel Pokémon and the evolved form of Buizel. Its flotation sac developed as an aid in chasing aquatic prey. Floatzel can also carry people on its back.
In Pokémon Adventures, a Floatzel is first seen acting as the motor jet for Professor Rowan and his assistant (Platinum's father) as they arrived in Canalave City. Later, Crasher Wake has a Floatzel, which he used to battle Platinum's Empoleon, but after a close battle, lost. A few volumes later, under Wake's command, Pearl attempted to catch one himself, but failed to do so and resorted to catching the weaker Buizel.
Floatzel is tied with Starmie as the fastest Water-type Pokémon, with a Speed base stat of 115.
Because of Swift Swim, Floatzel becomes the fastest Pokemon out of any Pokemon when rain is active.
Origin
Floatzel is based on an otter, which is in the same family as weasels, however it resembles weasels a little more closely than it does otters. Floatzel also appears to be loosely based on the Kamaitachi.
Name origin
Floatzel and Flowsel are combinations of flow or float and weasel.
This Pokémon article is part of Project Pokédex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each Pokémon species, as well as Pokémon groups and forms.