Research Notes - Barboach
Silurus tremulus

Whiscash is a ray-finned fish that is very closely related to Seaking as well as Gyarados; the latter even shares its characteristic barbs. These Pokémon share a rocky relationship with humans; on one hand, they can trigger large earthquakes that can cause mild structural damage in nearby buildings. On the other, Barboach (and even Whiscash for some more daring people) are very popular catches among freshwater fishermen; some anglers even opt to catch these slippery Pokémon by hand. Whiscash are one of the only pond Pokémon that can fend off wild Crawdaunt alone; this makes them important in protecting bodies of water from this overbearing species.

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Diet

Barboach are both predators and scavengers. They burrow into the mud with their barbs exposed to sense passing prey, but will also feed on carcasses and scraps from the meals of other Pokémon. Whiscash usually go after live prey, but won’t turn down “free” food, either.

Care

Both of these Pokémon are very easy to take care of as long as they are provided with muddy ponds to swim in. They are not very picky about water temperature, pollution, or salinity (as long as it isn’t excessively saline) and can make do in surprisingly small bodies of water. A thick layer of mud is critical for these Pokémon, as they love to bury themselves in the substance. The mucus covering their skin must be kept moist at all times.

Caution

Barboach aren’t very threatening towards humans, although the sensation of their slimy skin brushing against one’s legs while swimming is said to be incredibly unpleasant. Whiscash are more dangerous than their pre-evolutions, though. They are temperamental and territorial, quickly becoming angry when strangers approach their ponds. Their thrashing can generate strong earthquakes, so people should stay away from ponds where these Pokémon reside.