Chinchou is a small, round, blue fish-like Pokémon with a pair of tiny white fins and two small blue feet. Chinchou's eyes have unique pupils that are shaped like plus signs. 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 antenna.
Its antennae were once fins. The electricity-generating cells in these antennae create so much electrical power that they even make Chinchou tingle slightly. Chinchou charges up its electric attacks by absorbing energy through its two antennae, and flashes its electric lights to exchange signals with others or claim turf. These antennae also glow softly which lure in prey, which it stuns with its antennae before attacking. Chinchou tends to lurk on the dark ocean floors, rarely ever coming up to the surface. However, it has demonstrated the ability to walk on land.
Multiple Chinchou made their main series debut in Takin' it on the Chinchou. One was under the ownership of Dayton; nicknamed Bright, it played a major role in the episode.
A Chinchou appeared in The Great Eight Fate!, under the ownership of Juan. It was one of his Pokémon used in the Sootopolis City Water Exhibit. It and Juan's other Pokémon were captured by Team Rocket, but they all worked together to escape.
Chinchou, the Angler Pokémon, have the ability to conduct electrical currents from their two tentacles, which flow positive from one end and negative from the other. Chinchou can also communicate underwater by flashing its tentacles.
Chinchou debuted in Number One Donphan, where Gold encountered them during his search for his Poliwag. He caught multiple of them to avoid being electrocuted and later released them.
In Teddiursa's Picnic, a Chinchou appeared in its Poké Ball after a wild Granbull had spit out all of the Poké Balls that it stole to get attention on its dislocated jaw. It was later returned to its owner by Wilton afterwards.
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.
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.
Chonchie is a corruption of 提灯 chōchin (lantern). Also, チョウチンアンコウ chōchin-ankō is the name of the footballfish, a deep-sea fish similar to Chinchou's evolution, Lanturn. Notably, 調和 chōwa is Japanese for harmony, describing the balance of Chinchou's water and electric types.
In other languages
Language
Title
Meaning
Japanese
チョンチー Chonchie
From 提灯 chōchin (lantern), 提灯鮟鱇 chōchin-ankō (footballfish), and 調和 chōwa (harmony).
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.
Yellow Shard (5%)
DeepSeaScale (5%)
For other sprites and images, please see Chinchou images on the Bulbagarden Archives.
