Corphish

Corphish’s design is based on a crayfish, with features of the red swamp crayfish, a species capable of thriving in disturbed waters and spreading beyond its native range. That idea fits its Pokédex entries: it tolerates dirty rivers, adapts quickly and eats anything it can catch with its claws. It does not need clean water or a stable environment to live; its resilience explains how it can multiply until it causes problems in places where it was not previously present.

Its claws are the most dangerous part. It uses them to hold onto prey and does not let go easily, while its compact body and red colour reinforce the image of a small aquatic soldier. The Japanese name ヘイガニ combines hei, “soldier”, with ebigani, “crayfish”.

It is the first stage of its evolutionary line. At level 30, it evolves into Crawdaunt, which retains its crustacean appearance but develops a much more aggressive presence.

Corphish’s best figures are concentrated in physical damage: Attack 80 and Defense 65. Its HP is 43, while Special Attack is 50 and Special Defense and Speed drop to 35. The total of 308 makes the problem clear: it hits hard for its stage, but takes special attacks poorly and acts late.

The ability that defines its potential is Adaptability, which boosts moves matching the Pokémon’s type. With it, Razor Shell and Crabhammer apply much more pressure, while Knock Off punishes opponents that rely on an item. Swords Dance can turn its Attack into an immediate threat; Dragon Dance offers a different route by improving Speed as well.

The Water type gives it good switch-in opportunities against Fire-, Ice-, Steel- and Water-type attacks, and lets it hit Fire, Ground and Rock types super effectively. In return, Electric- and Grass-type attacks force it out. Its poor Speed, 35 Special Defense and lack of reliable recovery leave it exposed to fast and special attackers.

In general battles, it is not a competitive choice. In Little Cup, it has a clear niche as a physical attacker, especially with Adaptability, Knock Off and Aqua Jet, which lets it finish off weakened opponents. In a normal playthrough, it works best in the middle stretch, when it can take advantage of a forced switch to use Swords Dance, or at the end, when Water-resistant Pokémon have already been weakened.

Corphish belongs to the Water 1 and Water 3 Egg Groups. The gender ratio is 50% female, so it can breed with compatible Pokémon from those groups and with Ditto. Its Eggs need 15 cycles to hatch, equivalent to approximately 4080 steps using the usual conversion.

Its notable Egg Moves include Aqua Jet, which provides priority and fits its physical Attack, and Ancient Power, a special Rock-type option for hitting certain opponents. Double-Edge offers high Normal-type damage at the cost of recoil, while Metal Claw adds coverage against Ice and Rock. Slash also makes use of its physical profile.

The evolution is straightforward: Corphish evolves into Crawdaunt at level 30. Its habitat is Riverside, although Pokédex entries explain that it also appears in stagnant and polluted waters. Its catch rate of 205 puts it near the easy end of the scale: finding and catching it takes considerably less work than with species that have a low catch rate.