Tentacruel's orbs glowing
Tentacruel is a large, cnidarian Pokémon. It has a clear, light blue body with two large, red orbs on either side and a smaller orb in the center. Its eyes are visible in its round lower body, which is black. Extending from its lower body are two blue, beak-like appendages and numerous grayish tentacles. Its red orbs glow whenever it is excited or agitated, communicating with its own kind, and it may alert others to danger by stridently flashing them. They are also capable of refracting sunlight, storing energy, and firing ultrasonic waves.
Tentacruel's primarily light blue body helps it camouflage in the water. It has a total of 80 tentacles, which it can readily extend during hunts to ensnare its prey in a net-like shape before immobilizing it with poison. The tentacles can grow or shrink with ease. Its tentacles can absorb water to stretch even further. Most of these tentacles are hidden and kept short, leaving up to 14 exposed. However, it tends to lose tentacles as it ages. While Tentacruel are rarely seen, they can gather in large groups which scares away any nearby fish Pokémon. Tentacruel lives in underwater rock formations and can be found throughout the ocean.
Although Toedscruel bears a strong resemblance to Tentacruel, the two species are biologically unrelated.
Evolution
Tentacruel evolves from Tentacool.
(For specifics on this Pokémon's Evolution in the games, refer to Game data→Evolution data.)
Major appearances
A giant Tentacruel appeared in Tentacool & Tentacruel, marking the species' debut. It attacked the city of Porta Vista with a group of Tentacool in response to Nastina's plans to build a hotel on top of their territory. It was eventually talked out of continuing its rampage by Misty.
In Mewtwo Strikes Back and its remake Mewtwo Strikes Back—Evolution, Fergus's Tentacruel was captured and cloned by Mewtwo. The Tentacruel clone was seen again in Mewtwo Returns.
In Bye Bye Psyduck, Marina used a Tentacruel in her battle with Misty. It battled Goldeen and won, but it was later defeated by Staryu.
In Viva Las Lapras, Captain Crook used multiple Tentacruel to help him poach Pokémon, until they were released by Misty.
In Around the Whirlpool, Captain Marius's Tentacruel got Ash and his friends out of the water using its tentacles. In the same episode, a Tentacruel was among the Pokémon stolen from the Pokémon Center of Blue Point Isle.
In Cerulean Blues, each of the Invincible Pokémon Brothers has a Tentacruel. They were used against Misty's Corsola and Gyarados, eventually hurting the latter. They were then blasted away by Gyarados's Hyper Beam.
In The Search for the Legend, Cassidy used a Tentacruel along with Butch's Cloyster in their attempt to capture a wild Moltres.
In The Great Eight Fate!, three Tentacruel were part of Juan's Sootopolis City Water Exhibit. They and Juan's other Pokémon were captured by Team Rocket, but they all worked together to escape.
In The Brockster Is In!, Team Rocket disturbed multiple Tentacruel. This resulted in them attacking a group of baby Pokémon, leaving them poisoned.
Two Tentacruel appeared in Fighting Back the Tears!. One appeared in a flashback, where it was revealed to have attacked James's Mareanie when it was still wild, whilst another appeared in the present day, where it also attacked Mareanie, only for James to ward it away.
Minor appearances
In a fantasy in Who Gets to Keep Togepi?, Misty hoped the Egg the group had might hatch into a Tentacruel.
In Pikachu's Vacation, a Tentacruel was at the Pokémon Theme Park.
In Round One - Begin!, a Trainer's Tentacruel competed in the Indigo Plateau Conference.
A Tentacruel appeared in a fantasy in Charizard Chills.
In The Power of One, multiple Tentacruel sensed the disturbance caused by Lawrence III.
A Tentacruel appeared in Snorlax Snowman.
In The Joy of Water Pokémon, a Tentacruel was living in Lake Lucid, while another was receiving special treatment in a salt bath tank in the Pokémon Center located near the lake.
In Dueling Heroes, a Trainer's Tentacruel competed in the Whirl Cup.
A Tentacruel appeared in A Family That Battles Together Stays Together!, under the ownership of Lola. It reappeared in a fantasy in Grating Spaces!.
A Coordinator's Tentacruel appeared in A Cacturne for the Worse.
A Tentacruel appeared in the opening sequence of Lucario and the Mystery of Mew.
In One Team, Two Team, Red Team, Blue Team!, the Pokémon Summer Academy provided a Tentacruel to a student for the second leg of the Pokémon Triathlon.
A Tentacruel appeared in the opening sequence of Zoroark: Master of Illusions.
Multiple Tentacruel appeared in Kalos, Where Dreams and Adventures Begin!.
Multiple Tentacruel appeared in Diancie and the Cocoon of Destruction.
A Tentacruel appeared in a fantasy in Yo, Ho, Ho! Go, Popplio!.
Multiple Tentacruel appeared in The Island Whisperer!.
A Tentacruel appeared in I Choose You!.
A wild Tentacruel appeared in Alola, Kanto!.
In Securing the Future!, a Tentacruel joined the rest of Alola in showering Necrozma with light so it could return to its normal form.
A Tentacruel appeared in Pikachu's Exciting Adventure!.
A Tentacruel appeared in Legend? Go! Friends? Go!.
In Making Battles in the Sand!, Ash battled a Trainer's Tentacruel with his Riolu in a World Coronation Series match, only to be defeated.
Two Tentacruel appeared in This Could be the Start of Something Big!.
A Tentacruel appeared in Ride, Lapras, Ride!.
Pokédex entries
Episode
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Pokémon
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Source
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Entry
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EP019
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Tentacruel
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Ash's Pokédex
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Tentacruel, a Jellyfish Pokémon. An evolved form of the Tentacool. Its numerous tentacles serve as a powerful weapon. It is known as "The Gangster of the Sea."
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Episode
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Pokémon
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Source
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Entry
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EP113
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Tentacruel
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Ash's Pokédex
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Tentacruel, the Jellyfish Pokémon. Its potent poison stingers can quickly paralyze its victims.
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Episode
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Pokémon
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Source
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Entry
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DP190
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Tentacruel
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Dawn's Pokédex
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Tentacruel, the Jellyfish Pokémon, and the evolved form of Tentacool. Tentacruel uses its tentacles to capture prey and holds it until weakened from poison.
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