For Pokémon GO information on this species, see the game's section.
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Pokémon
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This article is about the species. For a specific instance of this species, see Shellder (disambiguation).
ShellderBivalve Pokémon
シェルダーShellder
#0090
Images on the Bulbagarden Archives
Type
Water
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Abilities
Shell Armor or Skill LinkGen IV+
Cacophony
Cacophony
Overcoat Hidden Ability
Cacophony Hidden Ability
Cacophony
Cacophony
Gender ratio
Unknown
50% male,50% female
Catch rate
190 (35.2%)
Breeding
Egg Group
Water 3
Hatch time
20 cycles
Height
1'00"
0.3 m
Shellder
0'0"
0 m
{{{form2}}}
0'0"
0 m
{{{form3}}}
0'0"
0 m
{{{form4}}}
0'0"
0 m
{{{form5}}}
0'0"
0 m
{{{form6}}}
0'0"
0 m
{{{form7}}}
Weight
8.8 lbs.
4.0 kg
Shellder
0 lbs.
0 kg
{{{form2}}}
0 lbs.
0 kg
{{{form3}}}
0 lbs.
0 kg
{{{form4}}}
0 lbs.
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{{{form5}}}
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0 lbs.
0 kg
{{{form7}}}
Mega Stone
[[|]]
[[|]]
Base experience yield
97Gen. I-IV
UnknownIV
61V+
Leveling rate
Slow
EV yield
Total: 1
Shellder
0HP
0Atk
1Def
0Sp.Atk
0Sp.Def
0Speed
0HP
0Atk
0Def
0Sp.Atk
0Sp.Def
0Speed
0HP
0Atk
0Def
0Sp.Atk
0Sp.Def
0Speed
0HP
0Atk
0Def
0Sp.Atk
0Sp.Def
0Speed
Shape
Footprint
{{{form2}}}
Pokédex color
Purple
Base friendship
70
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
Shellder (Japanese: シェルダー Shellder) is a Water-type Pokémon introduced in Generation I.
It evolves into Cloyster when exposed to a Water Stone. It is associated with Slowpoke and its evolutionary relatives.
Contents
1Biology
1.1Evolution
2Game data
2.1NPC appearances
2.2Pokédex entries
2.3Game locations
2.3.1In side games
2.3.2In events
2.3.2.1Wild Area News
2.4Held items
2.5Stats
2.5.1Base stats
2.5.2Pokéathlon stats
2.6Type effectiveness
2.7Learnset
2.7.1By leveling up
2.7.2By TM
2.7.3By breeding
2.7.4TCG-only moves
2.8Side game data
2.9Evolution data
2.10Sprites
2.10.1Shellder forms
3In animation
3.1Main series
3.1.1Major appearances
3.1.2Minor appearances
3.1.3Pokédex entries
3.2POKÉTOON
4In the manga
4.1The Electric Tale of Pikachu
4.2Pokémon Adventures
4.3Pokémon: Yeah! I Got Pokémon!
4.4Pokémon Journeys
4.5Pokémon Pocket Monsters
5In the TCG
6Trivia
6.1Origin
6.1.1Name origin
7In other languages
8Related articles
9External links
Biology
Concept art of Shellder for the original series
Shellder is a bivalve mollusk Pokémon encased within a spiky, blue-violet bivalve shell. It has two round white eyes with tiny black pupils. Its long, red tongue, usually hidden due to the darkness of Shellder’s body, extends from its often closed mouth. Shellder uses this tongue to burrow into the sand to sleep overnight and to lure and capture prey. If it were to close its shell, nothing could come to it; however, the tongue protrudes even when its shell is shut. Tugging on it will cause the shell to pop open. Its soft and tender body is well-protected by its extremely durable shell, which is purported to be harder than diamonds and has historically been used by people to make shields. It can make pearls from accumulated sand, though it discards them as they are typically in its way.
Shellder has an unusually strong appetite for the tail of a Slowpoke and can develop a symbiotic relationship with the Dopey Pokémon. After attaching itself to the Slowpoke's tail, the two undergo a metamorphosis and evolve into Slowbro together. Alternatively, if it attaches to the head of a Slowpoke in possession of a King's Rock, the two will instead evolve into Slowking. These relationships allow it to travel onto land and begin a new stage in its life cycle. In Galar, Shellder attaches to the forearms and heads of Galarian Slowpoke wearing Galarica Cuffs or Galarica Wreaths, causing the Evolution into Galarian Slowbro and Galarian Slowking, respectively. Shellder that are part of Slowbro change in shape further if it Mega Evolves.
Regardless of which form the two Pokémon evolve into, Shellder's shell changes to a light gray color with irregular darker spots. Its shape changes into a spiny, spiraled cone with several tiers, which is slightly rounded for Galarian Slowbro. Sharp teeth develop around the rim of the shell to anchor it securely to the evolved Slowpoke, and its eyes now peek out from the bottom rim of the shell. In its crown form, Shellder has a large horn on either side of its shell, which is purple for Galarian Slowking. It also gains a gem: a red one on the underside for Johtonian Slowking, and a green one between its eyes for the Galarian form. As part of Mega Slowbro, it becomes large enough to contain most of the Slowpoke's body, gaining two holes near the rim and an opening at the tip, through which protrude the Slowpoke's forelegs and tail respectively.
While in its crown form, Shellder will periodically release its venom into Slowking's brain. This is actually beneficial to Slowking, as it causes the Regal Pokémon's intelligence to increase. Higher quantities of venom intensify this effect, and Shellder is easily provoked into releasing more whenever Slowking yawns. However, Shellder's poison makes Slowbro more sluggish as it continues to drain nutrients from its host's body. As seen in Slowking's Crowning! and An Evolution in Taste!, the crown form of Shellder can take control of humans who wear it and speak through its host. The control of Shellder wears off the moment the crown is removed.
Despite its hard shell, clamping on to an opponent will reveal its vulnerable parts. Because of this, it will only clamp itself to a foe as a last resort. It swims around its seafloor home by rapidly opening and closing its shell while facing backward. Despite its appearance, Shellder is surprisingly fast. Prehistoric Shellder were apparently preyed upon by Omastar, whose powerful bites were capable of breaking through its shell. Shellder and its evolved form, Cloyster, are related to Shellos and Gastrodon. Kingler, Rufflet, and Bruxish are modern predators of Shellder.
Prior to Generation III, Clamp was its signature move. Prior to Generation V, Icicle Spear was also its signature move, but other Pokémon could still inherit it via breeding. Additionally, prior to Generation V, Shellder and its evolved form, Cloyster, were the only known Pokémon that could have Skill Link as an Ability.
Attached to Slowbro
Attached to Mega Slowbro
Attached to Galarian Slowbro
Attached to Slowking
Attached to Galarian Slowking
Evolution
Shellder evolves into Cloyster.
(For specifics on this Pokémon's Evolution in the games, refer to Game data→Evolution data.)
Unevolved
Shellder Water
→
First Evolution
Cloyster Water Ice
Game data
NPC appearances
Pokémon Pinball: Three Shellder appear on the Red Table and give the player points when hit. When Catch'em Mode is activated, they also reveal the silhouette of the Pokémon attempting to be captured upon being hit.
Pokédex entries
Generation I
Kanto #090
Red(JPN)
(This entry was originally untranslated in English until it was reused in Pokémon FireRed.)
Green
Red(ENG)
Its hard shell repels any kind of attack. It is vulnerable only when its shell is open.
Blue
Yellow
The shell can withstand any attack. However, when it is open, the tender body is exposed.
Stadium
Its shell is harder than diamond. It hides in sand on the sea floor and catches prey with its soft tongue.
Generation II
Johto #169
Gold
It swims facing backward by opening and closing its two-piece shell. It is surprisingly fast.
Silver
Grains of sand trapped in its shells mix with its body fluids to form beautiful pearls.
Crystal
Clamping on to an opponent reveals its vulnerable parts, so it uses this move only as a last resort.
Stadium 2
It swims facing backward by opening and closing its two-piece shell. It is surprisingly fast. (Pokémon Red, Silver, or Crystal inserted)Grains of sand trapped in its shells mix with its body fluids to form beautiful pearls. (Pokémon Blue, Gold, or Yellow inserted)
Generation III
Hoenn #—
Kanto #090
Ruby
At night, this Pokémon uses its broad tongue to burrow a hole in the seafloor sand and then sleep in it. While it is sleeping, Shellder closes its shell, but leaves its tongue hanging out.
Sapphire
Emerald
At night, it burrows a hole in the seafloor with its broad tongue to make a place to sleep. While asleep, it closes its shell, but leaves its tongue hanging out.
FireRed
It is encased in a shell that is harder than diamond. Inside, however, it is surprisingly tender.
LeafGreen
Its hard shell repels any kind of attack. It is vulnerable only when its shell is open.
Generation IV
Sinnoh #—
Johto #171
Diamond
It swims backward by opening and closing its two shells. Its large tongue is always kept hanging out.
Pearl
Platinum
HeartGold
It swims facing backward by opening and closing its two-piece shell. It is surprisingly fast.
SoulSilver
Grains of sand trapped in its shells mix with its body fluids to form beautiful pearls.
Generation V
Unova #—
Black
It swims backward by opening and closing its two shells. Its large tongue is always kept hanging out.
White
Black 2
It swims backward by opening and closing its two shells. Its large tongue is always kept hanging out.
White 2
Generation VI
Central Kalos #—
Coastal Kalos #036
Mountain Kalos #—
Hoenn #—
X
Its hard shell repels any kind of attack. It is vulnerable only when its shell is open.
Y
Clamping on to an opponent reveals its vulnerable parts, so it uses this move only as a last resort.
Omega Ruby
At night, this Pokémon uses its broad tongue to burrow a hole in the seafloor sand and then sleep in it. While it is sleeping, Shellder closes its shell, but leaves its tongue hanging out.
Alpha Sapphire
Generation VII
Alola S M : #115
Alola US UM : #138
Kanto #090
Sun
The hardness of its shell surpasses the hardness of a diamond. In days gone by, people used the shells to make shields.
Moon
This Pokémon's tongue is always hanging out. It uses its tongue with great dexterity to dig up sand from the seabed in its search for food.
Ultra Sun
The sand that accumulates inside its shell eventually becomes a pearl. But the pearl gets in the way, so it spits it out and discards it.
Ultra Moon
Even when its shell is closed, its tongue still hangs out. If you give its tongue a good yank, the shock will cause Shellder to open its shell.
Let's Go Pikachu
The shell can withstand any attack. However, when it is open, the tender body is exposed.
Let's Go Eevee
Generation VIII
Galar #150
Isle of Armor #131
Crown Tundra #—
Sinnoh #—
Hisui #—
This Pokémon has no Pokédex entries in Legends: Arceus.
Sword
It swims facing backward by opening and closing its two-piece shell. It is surprisingly fast.
Shield
Its hard shell repels any kind of attack. It is vulnerable only when its shell is open.
Brilliant Diamond
It swims backward by opening and closing its two shells. Its large tongue is always kept hanging out.
Shining Pearl
Generation IX
Paldea #329
Kitakami #—
Blueberry #—
Lumiose #—
Hyperspace #—
This Pokémon has no Pokédex entries in Legends: Z-A.
Scarlet
It is encased in a shell that is harder than diamond. Inside, however, it is surprisingly tender.
Violet
Clamping on to an opponent reveals its vulnerable parts, so it uses this move only as a last resort.
Shellder in the Alola Pokédex
Shellder in the Paldea Pokédex
Game locations
Generation I
Red
Blue
Seafoam IslandsRoutes 6, 11, 19, 20, 21, Vermilion City, Seafoam Islands, Cinnabar Island (Super Rod)
Blue (Japan)
Seafoam IslandsRoutes 6, 11, 19, 20, 21, Vermilion City, Seafoam Islands, Cinnabar Island (Super Rod)
Yellow
Routes 17, 18, Vermilion Harbor (Super Rod)
Generation II
Gold
Silver
Routes 20, 21, 26, 27, 41, Olivine City harbor, Vermilion City, Pallet Town, New Bark Town, Cinnabar Island (Good Rod and Super Rod)
Crystal
Routes 20, 21, 26, 27, 41, Olivine City harbor, Vermilion City, Pallet Town, New Bark Town, Cinnabar Island (Good Rod and Super Rod)
Generation III
Ruby
Sapphire
Trade
Emerald
Trade
FireRed
Pallet Town, Cinnabar Island, Vermilion City, One Island, Five Island, Icefall Cave (Super Rod)
LeafGreen
Trade
Colosseum
Trade
XD
Cipher Key Lair (Shadow)
Generation IV
Diamond
Pearl
Route 205 (Floaroma Town side), Valley Windworks, Fuego Ironworks (Super Rod)
Platinum
Route 205 (Floaroma Town side), Valley Windworks, Fuego Ironworks (Super Rod)
HeartGold
SoulSilver
Routes 20, 21, 26, 27, 41, 47, Vermilion City, Cinnabar Island, Pallet Town, New Bark Town (Good Rod and Super Rod)
Pal Park
Sea
Pokéwalker
Blue Lake, Stormy Beach
Generation V
Black
White
Route 13, Undella Town, Undella Bay (fishing)
Black 2
White 2
Route 13, Undella Town, Seaside Cave, Humilau City (fishing)
Dream World
Sparkling Sea
Generation VI
X
Breed Cloyster
Y
Route 8 (Good Rod)
Omega Ruby
Alpha Sapphire
Trade
Generation VII
Sun
Moon
Kala'e Bay (fishing), Poké Pelago
Ultra Sun
Ultra Moon
Kala'e Bay (fishing)
Let's Go Pikachu
Let's Go Eevee
Seafoam Islands (Sea Skim)
Generation VIII
Sword
Shield
West Lake Axewell, East Lake Axewell (Surfing)Giant's Seat, East Lake Axewell (fishing)Dusty Bowl, North Lake Miloch, South Lake Miloch, West Lake Axewell (Max Raid Battle)
Expansion Pass
Courageous Cavern, Loop Lagoon (fishing)Fields of Honor, Challenge Beach, Loop Lagoon, Workout Sea (Max Raid Battle)
Brilliant Diamond
Shining Pearl
Route 205 (Floaroma Town side), Valley Windworks, Fuego Ironworks (Super Rod)Grand Underground - Fountainspring Cave, Riverbank Cave, Still-Water Cavern (After obtaining the National Pokédex)
Legends: Arceus
Unobtainable
Generation IX
Scarlet
Violet
South Province: South Paldean SeaEast Province: East Paldean SeaWest Province: West Paldean SeaNorth Province: North Paldean SeaTera Raid Battles (1★, 2★)
Legends: Z-A
Unobtainable
In side games
Generation I
Snap
River
Pinball
Red Field: Vermilion City Seaside, Seafoam Islands Blue Field: Vermilion City Streets
Generation II
This Pokémon is unavailable in Generation II side games.
Generation III
Channel
Secret Cove
Trozei!
SOL Laboratory 3, Secret Storage 14, Endless Level 33, Mr. Who's Den
For other sprites and images, please see Shellder images on the Bulbagarden Archives.
Shellder forms
For the remainder of Shellder's sprites as part of Slowbro or Slowking, see the sprite sections of Slowbro and Slowking.
Slowbro form
Slowking form
Slowbro back sprites
Slowking back sprites
In animation
Shellder in Pokémon the Series: Sun & MoonShellder attached to Slowbro in Pokémon the Series: Ruby and SapphireShellder attached to Slowking in Pokémon the Series: Gold and Silver
Main series
For a comprehensive list of Shellder's appearances in the animated series as part of Slowbro or Slowking, see the animation sections of Slowbro and Slowking.
Major appearances
In The Evolution Solution, Jessie caught a Shellder on Seafoam Island. Later in the episode, it bit on a Slowpoke's tail, making it evolve into a Slowbro. Because of this, it left Team Rocket.
In A Crowning Achievement, multiple Shellder evolved many Slowpoke into Slowbro and Slowking as Alice Telesu released them.
In Battling a Cute Drama!, Marilyn thought her Shellder was the cutest Pokémon she ever saw. It was about to battle Brock's Happiny, but the match was interrupted by Team Rocket.
Minor appearances
Shellder debuted as part of a Slowbro in Island of the Giant Pokémon.
The first time an unevolved Shellder was seen was in The Bridge Bike Gang. It was sick and Nurse Joy sent Ash, Misty, and Brock over to Sunnytown (where Shellder was) to deliver some medicine.
In The Misty Mermaid, multiple Shellder resided in the Cerulean Gym, under the ownership of the Sensational Sisters. One of them reappeared in Cerulean Blues and in a fantasy in Alola, Alola!.
In Pikachu's Vacation, a Shellder was at the Pokémon Theme Park.
In The Joy of Pokémon, a sick Shellder was treated by the Nurse Joy of an unnamed island.
In The Power of One, multiple Shellder sensed the disturbance caused by Lawrence III.
In Slowking's Day, a Shellder lived in the ocean surrounding Shamouti Island.
A Shellder appeared in a fantasy in The Totodile Duel.
In The Heartbreak of Brock, a Shellder lived at Temacu's father's lab.
In Mantine Overboard!, three Shellder lived in the sea near Ogi City.
In Octillery The Outcast, a Trainer's Shellder competed in the Whirl Cup. It went up against Ash's Totodile during a qualifying match and lost.
In A Parent Trapped!, a Shellder was seen underwater.
In Nice Pryce Baby, Pryce kept several Shellder at the Mahogany Gym.
In Enlighten Up!, a Shellder living in Lake Slowpoke bit a Slowpoke's tail, evolving it in the process.
In Gonna Rule The School!, the Pokémon Trainers' School lent a Shellder to one of the school's underage students for use.
In Old Rivals, New Tricks!, a Coordinator's Shellder competed in the Sandalstraw Contest.
In Going for the Gold!, multiple Shellder were in the Ambrette Aquarium.
Three Shellder appeared in Alola to New Adventure!.
A Shellder appeared in a fantasy in Yo, Ho, Ho! Go, Popplio!.
In The Sun, the Scare, the Secret Lair!, Mallow studied multiple Shellder as part of a class assignment.
In Rocking Clawmark Hill!, a Shellder washed ashore near Professor Kukui's house.
In A Shivering Shovel Search!, a Shellder passed by underwater while Pikachu and Popplio were searching for Palossand's lost shovel.
In Dewpider Ascending!, a Shellder was half-buried in the sand.
In I Choose Paradise!, three Shellder were at the Pokémon Paradise Resort, with two under the ownership of different Trainers.
A Trainer's Shellder appeared in Exhibition Unmasked!.
Four Shellder appeared in Legend? Go! Friends? Go!.
A Shellder appeared in A Test in Paradise!.
A Trainer's Shellder appeared in Caring for a Mystery!.
In Slowking's Crowning!, a Shellder was on Slowpoke Island.
In The Cuteness Quotient!, a Trainer's Shellder competing in the Friendship Festival was targeted by Team Rocket.
A Trainer's Shellder appeared in Restore and Renew!.
A Shellder appeared in The Ancient Poké Ball.
Two Shellder appeared in Roar of the Black Rayquaza.
Two Shellder appeared in Transform! Hero of the Seas, Palafin.
A Trainer's Shellder appeared in HZ105.
Pokédex entries
For Shellder's Pokédex entries as part of Slowbro or Slowking, see the Pokédex entries sections of Slowbro and Slowking.
POKÉTOON
A Shellder appeared in PT10, under the ownership of a Swimmer.
In the manga
For a list of Shellder's appearances in the manga as part of Slowbro or Slowking, see the manga sections of Slowbro and Slowking.Shellder in Pokémon Adventures
The Electric Tale of Pikachu
In Play Misty For Me, Misty threw a Shellder at Ash after she found him constantly staring at her in her swimsuit.
Pokémon Adventures
In Karate Machop!, Lorelei owns multiple Shellder. They were sent to attack Kanto alongside several other Elite Four Pokémon.
In The Last Battle XIII, a Shellder was sent to participate in the fight in Ilex Forest.
In Stick This in Your Craw, Crawdaunt! I, a Shellder was one of the aquarium Pokémon seen in Archie's collection.
Arven was revealed to have caught a Shellder in Fierce Battle! The Stony Cliff Titan!!.
Pokémon: Yeah! I Got Pokémon!
A Shellder appeared in GDZ33.
Pokémon Journeys
A Shellder appeared in Legend? Check! Friends? Check!.
Pokémon Pocket Monsters
Clefairy was attacked by a Shellder in The Legendary Pokémon Appears.
Multiple Shellder appeared in Which One is the Real Clefairy!?.
Bruno owns five Shellder, as seen in Clefairy's Under Training!!.
In the TCG
Main article: Shellder (TCG)For Shellder's appearances in the TCG as part of Slowbro or Slowking, see Slowbro (TCG) and Slowking (TCG).
Trivia
Shellder and Slowpoke evolving into Slowking in A Crowning Achievement
In Pokémon the Series, Shellder is required to evolve Slowpoke into Slowbro or Slowking. Shellder clamps onto a Slowpoke's tail to evolve into Slowbro, or onto its head while wearing the King's Rock to evolve into a Slowking. Even though Shellder changes form drastically when it bonds with Slowpoke to evolve (see above), it is not considered an Evolution in and of itself.
Despite this requirement for Slowpoke to evolve, no game has ever reflected this beyond Slowpoke's Pokédex entries. Slowpoke instead evolves into Slowbro at level 37, and into Slowking while traded with a King's Rock, and does not require the presence of Shellder, as opposed to Mantyke evolving with Remoraid in the party.
Shellder is said to produce poison and inject it into its host Slowbro or Slowking, but is not actually capable of learning any Poison-type moves as of Generation VIII.
In The Evolution Solution, it is revealed that Shellder is still capable of speech as the shell of a Slowbro.
Despite Shellder being unobtainable in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, it is still mentioned in Slowbro and Slowking's Pokédex entries.
Shellder were revealed to be capable of floating through the air in Pokémon Snap, a trait that has been seen in no other media.
Shellder and Cloyster share their category name with Clamperl. They are all known as the Bivalve Pokémon.
Shellder can be seen as a counterpart to Staryu. Both are Water-types in the Water 3 Egg Group, both evolve with a Water Stone, and both gain a second type upon Evolution. Cloyster is seen as a slow defensive Pokémon, while Starmie is seen as a fast attacking Pokémon; and Shellder is exclusive to FireRed and Y, while Staryu is exclusive to LeafGreen and X.
Origin
Shellder appears to be based on a clam, with its tongue representing a clam's "foot". Its ability to move by flapping its shell may have been inspired by scallops. Scallops are also related to the thorny oysters that resemble its evolved form. The fact that it latches onto Slowpoke and produces a beneficial toxin may be inspired by leeches.
Name origin
Shellder may be derived from shell and possibly shelter.
In other languages
Language
Title
Meaning
Japanese
シェルダー Shellder
From shell and possibly shelter
French
Kokiyas
From coquillage
Spanish
Shellder
Same as English/Japanese name
German
Muschas
From Muschel and Wasser
Italian
Shellder
Same as English/Japanese name
Korean
셀러 Sellor
Similar to the Japanese name
Mandarin Chinese
大舌貝 / 大舌贝 Dàshébèi
From 大 dà, 舌 shé, and 貝 / 贝 bèi
Cantonese Chinese
大舌貝 Dàshébèi*貝殼怪 Buihokgwaai*
From 大 dà, 舌 shé, and 貝 bèiFrom 貝殼 buihok and 怪 gwaai
More languages
Hindi
शेल्डर Shellder
Transcription of English name
Russian
Шеллдер Shellder
Transcription of English name
Thai
เชลเดอร์ Cheldoe
Transcription of Japanese name
Related articles
Pokémon fusion
Galarian form
Slowpoke
Slowbro
Slowking
External links
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#0089: Muk
Pokémon
#0091: Cloyster
→
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.