Magikarp (Pokémon)

← #128: Tauros

Pokémon

#130: Gyarados →

Magikarp コイキング Koiking #129
Art by Ken Sugimori from FireRed and LeafGreen
Type Water ' Unknown Unknown Blue-Striped Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown	Category Fish Pokémon
Ability Swift Swim Blue-Striped -----	Exp. at Lv. 100 1,250,000
Regional Pokédex numbers Kanto #129 Johto #076 Hoenn #052 Sinnoh #023 Unova Not in any regional Pokédex
Regional Browser numbers Fiore R-124 Almia R— Oblivia
Height 2'11" Imperial 0.9 m Metric 2'11"/0.9 m Red-Striped 0'0"/0.0 m Blue-Striped 0'0"/0.0 m
Weight 22.0 lbs. Imperial 10.0 kg Metric 22.0 lbs./10.0 kg Red-Striped 0.0 lbs./0.0 kg Blue-Striped 0.0 lbs./0.0 kg
Dex color Red	Catch rate 255 (33.3%)
Body style Blue-Striped	Footprint      Blue-Striped
Gender ratio Gender unknown Unknown 50% male, 50% female
Breeding Water 2 and Dragon groups 6 cycles (1530 minimum steps)
EV yield HP 0 Atk 0 Def 0 Sp.Atk 0 Sp.Def 0 Speed 1 Base Exp.: 20 Battle Exp.: 201*
External links On Smogon Pokédex: Generation I Generation II Generation III Generation IV Generation V Generation VI Generation VII Generation VIII Generation IX Artwork on Bulbagarden Archives

Magikarp (Japanese: コイキング Koiking) is a Template:Type2 Pokémon.

It evolves into Gyarados starting at level 20.

Biology

Physiology

Magikarp is a reddish-orange, medium-sized fish. Its notable characteristics include large, heavy scales. Its fins are primarily white, but it has two stiff, three-peaked fins on its back and stomach which are both yellow. It also has long yellow barbels.

Gender differences

A female has white barbels and a male has tan ones. The male also has a slightly bigger light band on its forehead compared to the female, suggesting it is slightly larger.

Special abilities

Long-lived Magikarp are able to utilize their immense splashing power to leap high enough to jump mountains. Magikarp also have a strong enough immune system to survive in the most polluted of waters.

Behavior

Although this Pokémon is capable of surviving in even the most polluted ponds, it is usually overlooked by trainers because it is pathetically weak: 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. They are normally seen using Splash, which is unusual, as it makes them easy targets to predators. Before the species multiplied, it is believed that the ancestors of Magikarp were actually much stronger than the Magikarp seen today, and this belief has led scientists to research this species.

Habitat

File:Watersedge.gif

Water's-edge Pokémon

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. Magikarp are extremely plentiful, living in almost any region. No one really knows how this Pokémon survived, however.

Diet

Main article: Pokémon food

In the anime

A giant Magikarp in the anime

Major appearances

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.

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.

In The Wacky Watcher, Ash, Misty and Tracey help a Pokémon Watcher named Quincy T. Quackenpoker observe the migration and evolution of a school of Magikarp.

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.

Team Rocket used a Magikarp-shaped submarine during the Orange Islands.

Several Magikarp appeared in Poké Ball Peril swimming along with Team Rocket's Magikarp-shaped submarine.

Totodile juggled three Magikarp with its Water Gun in Love, Totodile Style

In Judgement Day, a Template:Shiny2 Magikarp appeared in a flashback under the ownership of Jimmy and was later traded.

A Magikarp appeared in Arriving in Style!.

In One Team, Two Team, Red Team, Blue Team, Jessie used a different Magikarp which was comfirmed to be male in the second leg of the Pokémon Triathlon.

It was also seen as part of Lila's famous "Tiger Lily Smile" background in Battling the Generation Gap!.

Another Magikarp also appeared in Historical Mystery Tour!.

A group of Magikarp appeared in The Needs of the Three!.

Pokédex entries

Episode Pokémon Source Entry DP021 Magikarp Ash's Pokédex Magikarp, the Fish Pokémon. Magikarp can live in the dirtiest of water. It jumps very well and can evolve into Gyarados.

In the manga

Pokémon Adventures

Magikarp was seen at the Lake of Rage, being forcibly evolved into Gyarados.

In the TCG

Main article: Magikarp (TCG)

Game data

Pokédex entries

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation I.
Generation I Red In the distant past, it was somewhat stronger than the horribly weak descendants that exist today. Blue Yellow Famous for being very unreliable. It can be found swimming in seas, lakes, rivers and shallow puddles. Stadium Whoever its opponent, and however horrible the attack it receives, all it does is Splash around.
Generation II Gold An underpowered, pathetic Pokémon. It may jump high on rare occasions, but never more than seven feet. Silver For no reason, it jumps and splashes about, making it easy for predators like Pidgeotto to catch it mid-jump. Crystal This weak and pathetic Pokémon gets easily pushed along rivers when there are strong currents. Stadium 2 An underpowered, pathetic Pokémon. It may jump high on rare occasions, but never more then seven feet.
Generation III Ruby 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. Sapphire 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. Emerald 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. FireRed It is virtually worthless in terms of both power and speed. It is the most weak and pathetic Pokémon in the world. LeafGreen In the distant past, it was somewhat stronger than the horribly weak descendants that exist today.
Generation IV Diamond It is said to be the world's weakest Pokémon. No one knows why it has managed to survive. Pearl It is unable to swim against even slow-moving currents. It always splashes about for some reason. Platinum A Magikarp living for many years can leap a mountain using Splash. The move remains useless, though. HeartGold An underpowered, pathetic Pokémon. It may jump high on rare occasions, but never more than seven feet. SoulSilver For no reason, it jumps and splashes about, making it easy for predators like Pidgeotto to catch it mid-jump.
Generation V Black {{{blackdex}}} White {{{whitedex}}} Black 2 {{{black2dex}}} White 2 {{{white2dex}}}
Generation VI X Unknown Y Unknown

Game locations

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation I.
Generation I Red Blue Common Pallet Town, Viridian City, Cerulean City, Vermilion City, Vermilion Harbor, Celadon City, Fuchsia City, Safari Zone, Seafoam Islands, Cinnabar Island, and Routes Route 6, Route 10, Route 11, Route 12, Route 13, Route 17, Route 18, Route 19, Route 20, Route 21, Route 22, Route 23, Route 24, and Route 25 with Old Rod, Routes Route 12, Route 13, Route 17, and Route 18 and Fuchsia City with Super Rod, buy from Magikarp Salesman on Route 4 Blue (Japan) None Trade Yellow Common Pallet Town, Viridian City, Cerulean City, Vermilion City, Vermilion Harbor, Celadon City, Fuchsia City, Safari Zone, Seafoam Islands, Cinnabar Island, and Routes Route 6, Route 10, Route 11, Route 12, Route 13, Route 17, Route 18, Route 19, Route 20, Route 21, Route 22, Route 23, Route 24, and Route 25 with Old Rod, Fuchsia City and Safari Zone with Super Rod, buy from Magikarp Salesman on Route 4
Generation II Gold Silver Common Fish with Old or Good Rod, Surfing in Lake of Rage Crystal Common Fish with Old or Good Rod, Surfing in Lake of Rage
Generation III Ruby Sapphire Common Fish with Old or Good Rod Emerald Common Fish with Old or Good Rod FireRed LeafGreen Common Fish with Old Rod Buy from Magikarp Salesman for $500 Colosseum None Trade XD None Trade
Generation IV Diamond Pearl Common Fish with Old Rod Trade Finneon on Route 226 (German) Platinum Common Fish with Old or Good Rod Trade Finneon on Route 226 (German) Fish with Super Rod (Resort Area) HeartGold SoulSilver Common Fish with Old or Good Rod Pal Park Pond Pokéwalker Warm Beach, Stormy Beach, and Winner's Path
Generation V Black White None Trade Black 2 White 2 None Trade Dream World None
Generation VI X Y None Trade

In side games

Game	Location
Pokémon Snap	Beach, Tunnel Volcano, River Cave, Valley
Pokémon Channel	Secret Cove
Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire	Ocean (Ruby Field)
Pokémon Trozei!	SOL Laboratory 3 Secret Storage 5 Secret Storage 19 Mr. Who's Den
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Red/Blue Rescue Team	Waterfall Pond (7F-11F)
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Explorers of Time/Darkness	Lake Afar (B1-B24)
Pokémon Ranger	Safra Sea Sekra Mountain Range
Pokémon Rumble	Bright Beach

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.

Held items

Game		Held Item(s)
Red*	Blue*	Berry (100%)
Yellow*
Pokéwalker		Wacan Berry (100%)

Stats

Base stats

Stat		Range
		At Lv. 50	At Lv. 100
HP: 20		80 - 127	150 - 244
Attack: 10		13 - 68	22 - 130
Defense: 55		54 - 117	103 - 229
Sp. Atk: 15		18 - 73	31 - 141
Sp. Def: 20		22 - 79	40 - 152
Speed: 80		76 - 145	148 - 284
Total: 200	Other Pokémon with this total
Minimum stats are calculated with 0 EVs, IVs of 0, and (if applicable) a hindering nature. Maximum stats are calculated with 252 EVs, IVs of 31, and (if applicable) a helpful nature. This Pokémon's Special base stat in Generation I was 20.

Pokéathlon stats

Speed 1/5 ★☆☆☆☆	Power 1/4 ★☆☆☆
Skill 1/3 ★☆☆	Stamina 1/5 ★☆☆☆☆
Jump 2/4 ★★☆☆	Total 6/21 ★☆☆☆

Type effectiveness

Under normal battle conditions in Generation V, this Pokémon is:

Damaged normally by: Normal 1× Fighting 1× Flying 1× Poison 1× Ground 1× Rock 1× Bug 1× Ghost 1× Steel ½× Fire ½× Water ½× Grass 2× Electric 2× Psychic 1× Ice ½× Dragon 1× Dark 1× None

Weak to: Normal 1× Fighting 1× Flying 1× Poison 1× Ground 1× Rock 1× Bug 1× Ghost 1× Steel ½× Fire ½× Water ½× Grass 2× Electric 2× Psychic 1× Ice ½× Dragon 1× Dark 1× None

Immune to: Normal 1× Fighting 1× Flying 1× Poison 1× Ground 1× Rock 1× Bug 1× Ghost 1× Steel ½× Fire ½× Water ½× Grass 2× Electric 2× Psychic 1× Ice ½× Dragon 1× Dark 1× None

Resistant to: Normal 1× Fighting 1× Flying 1× Poison 1× Ground 1× Rock 1× Bug 1× Ghost 1× Steel ½× Fire ½× Water ½× Grass 2× Electric 2× Psychic 1× Ice ½× Dragon 1× Dark 1× None

Learnset

By leveling up

|- style="text-align:center" | style="text-align:left" | water | style="background:#2980EF" |  water 

| style=" background:#FFF" | 4 | style=" background:#FFF" | 1 | style=" background:#FFF" | Magikarp | style="display:none; background:#FFF" | {{{6}}} Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Movelist/note

By TM/HM

None.

By breeding

None.

By tutoring

|- style="background:#74ACF5" | colspan="13" | Bold indicates a move that gets STAB
Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only from an Evolution of this Pokémon
A colored initial indicates that the move is not available to be tutored in this game,
while a colored background indicates that the move is available. |} |}

TCG-only moves

• Dragon Rage
• Rage

Side game data

Pokémon Pinball     Acquisition: Catch		Pokémon Pinball RS     Acquisition: Catch		Pokémon Trozei!    Rarity: Common
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team File:MDP RT 129.png Body size: 1 Recruit rate: 9.2% Friend Area: Waterfall Lake Phrases 51%-100% HP I'm the world's weakest Pokémon. You knew that, yes? 26%-50% HP Huh? Look, my health is down by half already. 1%-25% HP I'm not much good now. I have almost no HP left. Level up Look, my level went up! But I'm probably still weak... Partner phrases 51%-100% HP <name>, my HP is between 51% and 100%. 26%-50% HP <name>, my HP is between 26% and 50%. 1%-25% HP <name>, my HP is between 1% and 25%. Level up Look, my level went up! But I'm probably still weak...
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Explorers of Time, Explorers of Darkness, and Explorers of Sky Body size: 1 Recruit rate: 8.2% IQ group: C
Pokémon Ranger Group:  Water  Poké Assist: ( Water ) Field move: None Loops: 1 Min. exp.: 5 Max. exp.: 5 Browser entry   Magikarp appears to be only capable of flopping about helplessly.
Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia Group:  Normal  Poké Assist: None Field move: None Browser entry   This Pokémon does not have a browser entry.
Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs Group: Poké Assist: Field move:  Normal  None Past ( Normal ) None Past (Electrify ×1) Browser entry   This Pokémon does not have a browser entry.
Pokémon Rumble N/A Not Available Defense Speed N/A Not Available Defense Speed			Pokémon Rumble Blast N/A Not Available Defense Speed N/A Not Available Defense Speed N/A Not Available Defense Speed N/A Not Available Defense Speed
PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure PokéPark Pad entry: This Pokémon has no PokéPark Pad entry.
PokéPark 2: Wonders Beyond Strong: {{{Park2strong}}} Weak: {{{Park2weak}}} PokéPark Pad entry: This Pokémon has no PokéPark Pad entry.
Pokémon Conquest HP: Move: {{{ConquestMove}}} Attack: Ability 1: {{{ConquestAbility1}}} Defense: Ability 2: {{{ConquestAbility2}}} Speed: Ability 3: {{{ConquestAbility3}}} Does not evolve. Range: 0 Perfect Links: {{{ConquestLink}}}

Evolution

Unevolved Magikarp  Water

Level 20 →

First Evolution Gyarados  Water  Flying

Sprites

Gen	Game
I	Red	Blue	Yellow		Red (Ja)	Green	Back
II	Gold	Silver	Crystal				Back
III	Ruby	Sapphire	Emerald		FireRed	LeafGreen	Back
IV	Diamond	Pearl	Platinum		HeartGold	SoulSilver	Back
V	Black	White	Black 2	White 2			Back

For other sprites and images, please see Magikarp images on Bulbagarden Archives.

Trivia

• As of Pokémon Platinum, Magikarp is tied at the lowest (with Regigigas), and ironically, the highest level non-glitch Pokémon available for capture at level 1 and 100, beating out even the level 80 Arceus for highest. It is only available in a pond in the Resort Area with a Super Rod in Platinum, where only Magikarp can be caught and range in levels anywhere from level 1 to 100.
• Magikarp, as well as Gyarados, has been in all four regional Pokédexes.
• Even though Magikarp is said to be the weakest Pokémon in existence, there are seven Pokémon weaker than it and one equal to it in terms of base stat average.
• Magikarp is one of three Template:Type2s that cannot learn Surf (the others being Surskit and Wingull), as well as the only Water-type that cannot learn any Ice-type or Water-type moves.
• Magikarp is one of fourteen Pokémon that one could collect foreign Pokédex entries for in Pokémon Diamond and Pearl.
• Magikarp shares the same species name with Feebas. They are both known as the Fish Pokémon.
• Even though it's listed as a freshwater Pokémon, Magikarp are found in oceans as well.
• Magikarp takes the shortest time to hatch out of all Pokémon.
• Every one of Magikarp's Pokédex entries talks about either its lack of strength, its tendency to Splash, or both.
• Magikarp's FireRed Pokédex entry remarks on its lack of power and speed. While the power part is true, Magikarp in fact sports a base 80 speed stat, making it quite fast.
• The Pokédex entries for Magikarp in Gold and HeartGold versions and Platinum version contradict each other; Gold and HeartGold versions says that Magikarp never jumps more than seven feet, whereas Platinum version states that it may jump over a mountain. However, the Platinum entry specifies using Splash, while HeartGold is referring to it jumping without aid.
• Magikarp is the only Pokémon that can learn attacking moves but can't get STAB on any of them.
• Together with Pichu and Seedot, Magikarp is the easiest Pokémon to catch in Pokémon Ranger, with only one loop necessary.

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 in the air.

Name origin

Magikarp's name is a combination of magic and carp (this may be mocking the Magikarp as a species, as someone with 'magic' powers is generally thought to be quite powerful, which Magikarp is not). It may also the combination of Magi, the three kings from the story of the Nativity, and carp. Its Japanese name is a combination of 鯉 koi, carp, and the English word king, giving its name an ironic slant similar to its English name.

In other languages

• German: Karpador - From Karpfen (carp).
• French: Magicarpe
• Korean: 잉어킹 Ingeoking
• Chinese (Taiwan): 鯉魚王 Lǐ Yú Wáng - "Carp king".
• Brazilian Portuguese (anime only): Magicarpa

Related articles

• Magikarp salesman
• Magikarp salesman's Magikarp

Notes

← #128: Tauros

Pokémon

#130: Gyarados →

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.