Whiscash are dark blue fish that are bulky in physique. They have huge cavernous mouths and long barbels that usually act as feelers. These barbels are even able to be manipulated like tentacles. They also have a marking on their foreheads that resemble a "W". They also possess a dorsal fin that, unlike other fish, is horizontal, much like a sea mammal's tail fluke. It's pattern vaguely resembles the pattern seen on the hive badge, given out by Bugsy. As shown in Whiscash and Ash, they have large tongues.
Gender differences
None.
Special abilities
Much like other ground types, they have the ability to cause their own earthquakes in addition to predicting real ones.
Behavior
Whiscash are usually calm fish unless confronted by anything they perceive as a threat. In case this happens, Whiscash may cause their own earthquakes as well as struggle if they are caught on a fishing line.
As shown in Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire as well as the anime, it is not uncommon for a Whiscash to swallow Poké Balls. This could quite possibly be its way of avoiding capture.
Whiscash was the third Pokémon that Juan used for the second half of the Gym battle in Eight Ain't Enough!. The Whiskers Pokémon was defeated by Ash's Swellow.
Another Wishcash was to appear in another episode called Shaking Island Battle!! Dojoach VS Namazun!! under the ownership of Chōta. However, the episode never aired due to the fact that it involved earthquakes which Japan had recently suffered.
In Pokémon Adventures, both Wallace and Mr. Briney each own Whiscash. Mr. Briney used his to predict the massive, constant earthquakes to determine when he could go fishing, among other reasons. Wallace's Whiscash, Phillipe, is primarily used for contests. Ruby was amazed at how different the two were despite being the same species.
Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire: After hitting the button changing the Pokémon bumpers on the Ruby Field a set number of times, Whiscash will appear in the pool. Hitting the ball into Whiscash's mouth will transport the player to the Sealeo Bonus Field. In the unlikely event that the ball hits Whiscash from behind, it will get angry and start an earthquake.
Whiscash is extremely territorial. Just one of these Pokémon will claim a large pond as its exclusive territory. If a foe approaches it, it thrashes about and triggers a massive earthquake.
If Whiscash goes on a wild rampage, it sets off a quake-like tremor with a radius of over three miles. This Pokémon has the ability to predict real earthquakes.
Mysteriously, it can foretell earthquakes. In the daytime, it sleeps in mud at the bottom of a pond. When it awakens, it continually feeds throughout the night.
Like its pre-evolution, Barboach, it is the only non-Template:Type2 Pokémon to learn Spark.
Also, in an unusual contradiction, Whiscash is part Ground. Ground type attacks are super effective on Template:Type2 Pokémon.
This may be a reference to how several species of realworld catfish use electricity to navigate and find prey.
The microgame "Electric Groove Fish" in WarioWare, Inc. Mega Microgame$ for Game Boy Advance shows a fish similarly shaped to Whiscash, complete with a "W" on its forehead.
A giant Whiscash appeared in an episode which has never aired in Japan or internationally.
Origin
Whiscash is based on Namazu, a catfish in Japanese mythology which caused earthquakes.
Name origin
Whiscash may be a combination of whisker and mustache, referring to the long whiskers it has. Cash may also be a contraction of catfish.
Namazun is derived from 鯰 Namazu (or 大鯰 Ōnamazu), a catfish in Japanese mythology which caused earthquakes. 鯰 namazu is also means catfish.
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.