Relicanth is a Pokémon that is heavily based on the coelacanth. It is covered with hard, brown scales that are similar to craggy rocks. The composition of its scales and fatty body allow it to withstand the intense pressure of the ocean depths. Its tan head has protruding cheekbones, which are smaller on a female. A triangular spike protrudes from the back of its head. Tan patches cover its body and there is a red spot located on both sides. It possesses two pairs of pectoral fins, which it uses to push itself along the sea bottom. Additionally, it has dorsal and pelvic fins near its tail. Its tail fin has a wavy outline. Relicanth is a filter feeder, and it feeds on microscopic organisms with its toothless mouth. It has remained unchanged for 100 million years, and stays as such because it is already a perfect life-form.
In the main series
Major appearances
Multiple Relicanth debuted in A Ruin With a View!, where Ash, May, and Professor Alden discovered a lake full of them.
A group of Relicanth appeared in The Relicanth Really Can!, where they played a major role to the plot of the episode.
Minor appearances
A Relicanth appeared in the opening sequence of Lucario and the Mystery of Mew.
Multiple Relicanth appeared in Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea.
A Relicanth appeared in a flashback in Mutiny in the Bounty! as one of J's captured Pokémon.
A Relicanth appeared in Up Close and Personable!.
A Relicanth appeared in the opening sequence of Zoroark: Master of Illusions.
Multiple Relicanth appeared in Going for the Gold!, where they were among the Pokémon seen in the Ambrette Aquarium.
A Relicanth appeared in Alola to New Adventure!.
A Relicanth appeared in a fantasy in Yo, Ho, Ho! Go, Popplio!.
A Relicanth appeared in SM104, where it was seen playing with Ash and his classmates' Pokémon at Seafolk Village. Later, during the Poké Problem extra scene, Lana revealed that she had managed to hook a Shiny Relicanth, but she only had a black and white fish print of it to show to her classmates.
Pokédex entries
Episode
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Pokémon
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Source
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Entry
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AG094
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Relicanth
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Ash's Pokédex
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Relicanth, the Longevity Pokémon. Relicanth is covered in stone-like scales, which allow it to endure the pressure of the deep ocean.
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In Pokémon Generations
Two wild Relicanth appeared in the waters that surrounded the Seafloor Cavern in The Cavern.
- Relicanth's EV yield (1 HP and 1 Defense) is unique.
- Relicanth shares many similarities with Fossil Pokémon, in the sense that it is also part-Rock-type, has a gender ratio of seven males to one female, and it is referred as an ancient Pokémon in some Pokédex entries.
Origin
Bulbanews has an article related to this subject:
Relicanth are based on the coelacanth, an order of fish that was thought to be extinct. They are considered living fossils because they are virtually unchanged from their prehistoric forms. Like their real-life counterpart, Relicanth were thought to have gone extinct 100 million years ago until they were recently rediscovered in a submarine exploration. Relicanth matches the Indonesian coelacanth in color, but its Shiny coloration is like that of the more well-known West Indian Ocean coelacanth. It may also take inspiration from placoderms, an extinct class of fish with armored heads.
Name origin
Relicanth may be a combination of relic (something old that has survived the passage of time), relict and coelacanth.
Glanth may be a combination of 爺 jī (old man) and coelacanth.