Chinchou is a small, round, blue fish-like Pokémon with a pair of tiny white fins and two small blue feet. It has two antennae that are positioned on its rear like two tails. There is a yellow teardrop-shaped orb at the end of each. Chinchou's eyes have unique pupils that are shaped like plus signs.
Gender differences
None.
Special abilities
Chinchou charges up its electric attacks by absorbing energy through its two antennae.
Chinchou and its evolved form Lanturn are the only Water-types to learn an Electric-type move by leveling up. It's also shown to have the ability to walk on land in the anime.
Chinchou, the Angler Pokémon, have the ability to conduct electrical currents from their two tentacles which flow positive from one end and negative to the other. Chinchou can also communicate underwater by flashing its tentacles.
In the manga
Pokémon Adventures
Chinchou were first seen in Volume 8, encountered by Gold during his search for his Poliwag.
Misty is later seen with a Chinchou in Volume 12, using it to light up the area behind the Tohjo Falls.
Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire: Chinchou are the main bumpers on the Ruby Field. Hitting a nearby button will change the formation from three floating in place, to three moving around, to just the one moving around. They will occasionally disappear and be replaced by Lotad or Whiscash.
Pokédex entries
This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation II.
Chinchou lets loose positive and negative electrical charges from its two antennas to make its prey faint. This Pokémon flashes its electric lights to exchange signals with others.
Chinchou's two antennas are filled with cells that generate strong electricity. This Pokémon's cells create so much electrical power, it even makes itself tingle slightly.
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Chinchou's name is a play on 提灯 chōchin, lantern. Its Japanese name is also a corruption of chōchin. Also, the チョウチンアンコウ chouchin-anko is the name of the footballfish, a deep-sea fish similar to Lanturn. It is also interesting to note that chouwa is the Japanese word for harmony, since this would describe the balance of Chinchou's water and electric types.
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.