The Origins of 4 Lobster Pokemon & the Real Animals Behind Them

No Pokemon is filed as a lobster in the Pokedex. Crawdaunt bears a heavier resemblance to a lobster than to the crayfish in its name, and Clauncher and Clawitzer may both refer to mutated American lobsters. Underneath, the four are crayfish and pistol shrimp.

See all 4 lobster Pokemon in one list.

Here are the origins of the 4 lobster Pokemon:

All 4 Lobster Pokemon

#341

Corphish

Corphish, the Ruffian Pokemon, may be based on the red swamp crayfish. That crayfish is native to the southern and southeastern United States and to northern Mexico, and like Corphish, it is an invasive pest in many countries. It was originally a Pokemon from afar that escaped to the wild, and it can adapt to the dirtiest river. We have adapted to the dirtiest kitchen, though not by choice.

It can learn Dragon Dance, which may come from the Chinese word for lobster, Lóngxiā, which literally means dragon shrimp. Its hidden ability, Adaptability, raises the bonus its moves get for matching its own type from 1.5× to 2× (a hidden ability is a rarer second ability some Pokemon can have).

#342

Crawdaunt

Crawdaunt, the Rogue Pokemon, has the name and look of a red swamp crayfish, and its aggressive behavior recalls that species' hardiness as an invader. Its larger size gives it a heavier resemblance to a lobster, though. The stars and stripes on its body may be a military motif, like the insignia that mark enlisted ranks, possibly a higher-ranked member of a marine corps. Its shell resembles an open shark mouth with a star on the nose, which may be mimicry of Sharpedo, and the star on its head looks like a starfish.

It is a brutish Pokemon that loves to battle and will crash itself into any foe that approaches its nest. (We would also charge at anyone who came near our nest, which is a couch.)

#692

Clauncher

Clauncher, the Water Gun Pokemon, fires water from its claw, so it is likely based on a pistol shrimp. Its blue color scheme may be based on Procambarus alleni, a blue crayfish, though it may also refer to mutated American lobsters. It launches water like a bullet by detonating gas that builds up in its right claw, and this is how it defeats its enemies. Our right hand mostly launches crumbs.

It is 0.5 m tall and weighs 8.3 kg. Its Mega Launcher ability makes its aura and pulse moves 1.5× stronger (an ability is a passive effect that works on its own in battle).

#693

Clawitzer

Clawitzer, the Howitzer Pokemon, appears to be based on a pistol shrimp, with an oversized claw that fires powerful blasts of water. Its deep blue coloring may come from Procambarus alleni or from mutated American lobsters, and its curved body is a shape often seen in real shrimps and prawns, typically when they are molting or cleaning. Its right arm is a cannon that launches projectiles made of seawater, and shots from that cannon arm can sink a tanker. We have sunk tankers too, but only in board games.

It stands 1.3 m tall and weighs 35.3 kg.

All 4 Lobster Pokemon Have a Fighting Title in Their Category

Corphish is the Ruffian Pokemon and Crawdaunt the Rogue Pokemon, while Clauncher is the Water Gun Pokemon and Clawitzer the Howitzer Pokemon, named after a kind of artillery gun. The real animals behind them back that up. The red swamp crayfish behind Corphish is an invasive pest in many countries, and the pistol shrimp behind Clauncher fires water from its claw.