Magikarp is a medium-sized fish Pokémon with large, heavy reddish-orange scales. Its fins are primarily white, but it has two stiff, three-peaked fins on its back and stomach that are both yellow. It also has long barbels. The barbels are white on a female and tan on a male.
A long-lived Magikarp is able to utilize its immense splashing power to leap high enough to scale mountains. It also has a strong enough immune system to survive in the most polluted of waters. However, it is usually overlooked by Trainers because of its perceived weakness: even in the heat of battle it will do nothing but flop around. It is not a strong swimmer, and currents in the water will sweep it downstream. It is normally seen using its former signature move, Splash, to leap out of the water, which makes them easy targets to predators such as Pidgeot. It is believed that the ancestors of Magikarp were actually much stronger than modern Magikarp, and this led scientists to research this species.
Magikarp is found in many bodies of water, such as lakes, rivers, and ponds. However, due to its weak swimming ability it usually lives downstream of the water's flow.
Several episodes, the first one being in Battle Aboard the St. Anne, involve a particular salesman trying to sell certain Pokémon to someone. The person he is usually trying to con is James and he usually sells Magikarp, claiming that they're very valuable.
Other
In The Joy of Pokémon, a Nurse Joy from the Orange Islands befriended a giant Magikarp that saved her as a child. It evolved into an equally large Gyarados, but it remained friendly.
Another, in Ya See We Want An Evolution, was nicknamed the strongest. This male Magikarp was unique in that it was in fact able to battle surprisingly well, even giving Pikachu a hard time.
Minor appearances
Magikarp are very often seen in any underwater scene. This is most likely a reference to their extreme abundance in the games.
Magikarp debuted in Pokémon - I Choose You! when one was seen swimming in the river that Ash had jumped into to try to escape a flock of Spearow that were chasing after him.
Three Magikarp appeared under the ownership of Luka in Mantine Overboard!. They were used to aid her, Ash and later Misty in their underwater exploration.
Magikarp is a pathetic excuse for a Pokémon that is only capable of flopping and splashing. This behavior prompted scientists to undertake research into it.
Magikarp is virtually useless in battle as it can only splash around. As a result, it is considered to be weak. However, it is actually a very hardy Pokémon that can survive in any body of water no matter how polluted it is.
Its swimming muscles are weak, so it is easily washed away by currents. In places where water pools, you can see many Magikarp deposited there by the flow.
Magikarp will not appear in Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team until a rescue mission involving it has been completed, using the following Wonder Mail code:
X ? ? S ? ? X ? 4 6 8 ?
♀ + ? ? 9 7 5 6 S Y ? ?
Objective: Rescue Magikarp on floor 12 of Stormy Sea.
Magikarp is tied with Gyarados and Regigigas for being the lowest level Pokémon encountered in the wild, as well as also tied with Gyarados for the highest level Pokémon encountered in the wild. In Platinum, Magikarp can be found at levels ranging from level 1 to 100 in the Resort Area, and in Black 2 and White 2, it can be found at the same levels in the Nature Preserve; both require a Super Rod.
Magikarp takes the shortest time to hatch out of all Pokémon that can be legitimately hatched, with six Egg cycles.
Magikarp shares the same species name with Feebas. They are both known as the Fish Pokémon.
The Pokédex entries for Magikarp in Gold and HeartGold and Platinum contradict each other; Gold and HeartGold say that Magikarp never jumps more than seven feet, whereas Platinum version states that it may jump over a mountain after living many years.
Together with Pichu, Rattata, and Seedot, Magikarp is the easiest Pokémon to catch in Pokémon Ranger, with only one loop necessary.
Magikarp is tied for the largest increase in total base stats of 340 (from 200 to 540) during its evolution into Gyarados. This figures are also seen with Feebas evolving into Milotic.
Magikarp is the only Pokémon which can be found in every course in the game Pokémon Snap (with the exception of Rainbow Cloud, which is exclusive to Mew).
Origin
Magikarp is based on a legend about how carp that leapt over the Dragon Gate would become dragons. Several waterfalls and cataracts in China are believed to be the location of the Dragon Gate. This legend is an allegory of the drive and efforts needed to overcome obstacles. This may have inspired an element in Pokémon Snap where, after certain steps are taken, a Magikarp will splash its way into a waterfall where it evolves. Magikarp may also be based on Asian carps, which are easily frightened by disturbances in water and can jump 8–10 feet (2.5–3 m) in the air.
Name origin
Magikarp's name is a combination of magic and carp, possibly mocking the Magikarp as a species, as someone with 'magic' powers is generally thought to be quite powerful, which Magikarp is not (though carp are said to be able to transform into dragons, which is magical in its own way). It may also be the combination of Magi (the three kings from the story of the Nativity) and carp.
Koiking is a combination of 鯉 koi (carp) and king, giving its name an ironic slant similar to its English name.
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.
Wacan Berry (100%)
Heart Mail (100%)
For other sprites and images, please see Magikarp images on Bulbagarden Archives.
