Zapfish

Zapfish (Japanese: デンチナマズ, Denchinamazu) are a type of an electric catfish with the ability to produce a strong electrical current, that appear in Splatoon's Hero Mode. The player must rescue one at the end of every level in order to proceed in the story.

History

Zapfish are the main power source of the Inklings' world. They were stolen and taken to Octo Valley, a hidden underground base used by the Octarians, because they are running out of power and to reactivate the Great Octoweapons. The player must rescue all the Zapfish, to be able to proceed to new areas. The goal of the Hero Mode is to save the giant 100 year old Great Zapfish, which is the power supply of Inkopolis.

In Splatoon 2, eight Zapfish spawn were used in some levels to power the same amount of energy generated by one adult Zapfish, and each of them were kept in spotlight-like containers.

Obtaining

A Zapfish is found near the conclusion of every campaign level, enclosed in a glowing sphere and sitting on a light bulb-esque pedestal. The player must shoot the sphere with Ink until it bursts, releasing the fish.

Appearance

Zapfish appear similar to an Anglerfish , and a light bulb's filament. They seem to have a large head with two small eyes, two nostrils, and a big pair of orange lips. Below the head is a smaller body. When a Zapfish is successfully rescued, upon replaying that level, the Zapfish is replaced with a plush replica with a blue cap.

Great Zapfish

Big zapfish — The Great Zapfish, resting on Inkopolis Tower.

The Great Zapfish is a large Zapfish that first appears at the begging of the battle against DJ Octavio when it gets sucked into DJ Octavio's robot. After the player defeats DJ Octavio, the Great Zapfish appears above Inkopolis Plaza.

Trivia

Zapfish in the Octarians' spheres are surrounded by electrical charges, likely indicating that they are generating power for Octo Valley.
The Japanese name "Denchi Namazu" (電池鯰, デンチナマズ) literally means "Catfish Battery." Similar to electric eels, some catfish produce an electrical discharge to defend themselves.
In the map Piranha Pit around the 0:45 second mark in Turf War, you can see the Great Zapfish in the sea.
When the Player completes a level he/she has already completed, a fake Zapfish will appear instead of a real one. The Player pats the Zapfish a few times during the end of the level music. You can see a gif below.
Before every Boss Battle , an Octarian tentacle is shown to grab the Zapfish, if the Player has already completed the battle, it will be replaced with a fake Zapfish.
The Great Zapfish resembles the Pokemon Whiscash.

Gallery

Main	Major	Acht • Agent 3 • Agent 3 (Splatoon 3) • Agent 4 • Agent 8 • Cap'n Cuttlefish • C.Q. Cumber • Deep Cut ^{(Big Man • Frye • Shiver)} • Little Buddy • Off the Hook ^{(Pearl Houzuki • Marina Ida)} • Squid Sisters ^{(Callie • Marie)}
	Minor	Denizens of the deep • Great Zapfish • Iso Padre • Judd • Li'l Judd • Mr. Grizz • O.R.C.A. • Telephone

Bosses	Story Mode	Great Octoweapons (Mighty Octostomp ^{(Neo version)} • Dreaded Octonozzle • Rampaging Octowhirl • Ravenous Octomaw) • Octobot King ^{(Mark II • Mark III)} • Octo Oven • Octo Samurai • Octo Shower • Mr. Grizz
	Octo Expansion	Octostomp Redux • Octo Oven XXL • Revenge of Octo Samurai • Octo Shower Supreme • Inner Agent 3 • NILS Statue

Salmonids	Lesser	Chum • Cohock • Smallfry • Snatcher
	Boss	Big Shot • Drizzler • Fish Stick • Flipper-Flopper • Flyfish • Maws • Scrapper • Slammin’ Lid • Steel Eel • Steelhead • Stinger
	Event-specific	Chinook • Goldie • Griller • Mothership • Mudmouth
	King Salmonids	Cohozuna • Horrorboros

Jelletons	Lesser	Battering Lento • Drizzling Cappriccioso • Gushing Trionfale • Homing Arpeggio • Marching Andante • Panicking Alla Mambo • Portal • Spawning Accordo • Springing Spiccato • Spawning Accordo • Swarming Languendo • Towering Nobilmente • Whirling Accelerando
	Boss	Asynchronous Rondo • Marina Agitando • Overlorder • Parallel Canon • Pinging Marciale

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