Krabby is a crustacean Pokémon with a strong outer shell protecting its small body. Its upper half is red and has its eyes and two small spikes on the top of its head. Its light tan arms are also connected to its upper body. Its lower body is light tan and doubles as its jaw with two fangs overlapping its upper body. Its hips are visible on the lower front of its body connected to its four long, thin legs. Each leg has a single, claw-like foot. The main features of Krabby's body are the two large, red pincers at the end of its arms. Krabby uses them as its main form of offense, and as a form of balance. Sometimes, Krabby may lose a claw during battle or have a damaged claw forcibly removed. However, the claw regenerates over a short period.
In the wild, Krabby lives near the edge of water in both fresh and salt water. Krabby is most commonly found on beaches where it burrows in the sand. In times of scarce food sources, it may eat sand to regain nutrients and will be very aggressive in defending its home. Its main form of defense is creating foam to shroud its body, in order to confuse opponents into thinking that it is bigger than it actually is. As seen in the Pokémon the Series episode Mystery at the Lighthouse, Krabby generally keeps to itself, but will quickly defend itself if provoked.
Prior to Generation III, Krabby and its evolved form, Kingler, were the only known Pokémon capable of learning the move Crabhammer.
Evolution
Krabby evolves into Kingler.
(For specifics on this Pokémon's Evolution in the games, refer to Game data→Evolution data.)
Main series
Major appearances
In Mystery at the Lighthouse, Ash caught a Krabby and transferred it to Professor Oak's lab. He didn't use it until Round One - Begin!. After defeating an Exeggutor in its first battle during the Indigo Plateau Conference, Krabby evolved into Kingler.
Other
In The Evolution Solution, a Krabby grabbed a Slowpoke's tail and Psyduck's head with its pincers.
In Expedition to Onix Island!, a Krabby got into trouble with Oshawott and Piplup.
In Getting More Than You Battled For!, Goh caught a Krabby while at Cero Island. It has since made further appearances in Pokémon Journeys: The Series.
Minor appearances
In Mystery at the Lighthouse, a larger-than-average Krabby belonging to Gary Oak was living at Oak's lab, thus marking the species' debut. In Showdown at the Po-ké Corral, Gary compared its size to Ash's Krabby's size.
In Island of the Giant Pokémon, a Krabby awakened Jessie and James some time after they washed ashore by the cyclone caused by Gyarados' Dragon Rage.
In Pikachu's Vacation, a Krabby was at the Pokémon Theme Park.
In Lights, Camera, Quack-tion, a Krabby was part of the film crew for the movie Pokémon in Love.
A Krabby appeared in a flashback in The Lost Lapras.
A Krabby appeared in Misty's fantasy in Bye Bye Psyduck.
In The Power of One, multiple Krabby sensed the disturbance caused by Lawrence III.
A wild Krabby appeared in Pikachu's Rescue Adventure.
In Flower Power, two Krabby were part of Florando's annual Pokémon Exhibition.
In Tricks of the Trade, a Krabby was at the Pokémon Swap Meet in Palmpona.
In Hook, Line, and Stinker, a Trainer's Krabby competed in the annual Seaking Catching Competition.
In Beauty and the Breeder, a Pokémon Breeder's Krabby participated in the Pokémon Beauty Contest.
In Got Miltank?, three Krabby were living in the Pokémon-exclusive oasis.
A Krabby appeared in Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time & Darkness.
A Krabby appeared in a fantasy in Gone Corphishin'.
A Krabby appeared in PK19.
A Krabby appeared in Bagged Then Tagged!.
In Teaching the Student Teacher!, a Krabby was on some rocks.
In The Island of Illusions!, a Krabby was living on the Grand Spectrala Islet.
In Going for the Gold!, a Krabby was kept in the Ambrette Aquarium.
In Alola, Kanto!, a wild Krabby was at Professor Oak's Laboratory.
In Keeping Your Eyes on the Ball!, the master caddy used a live Krabby as a club for Pokémon Golf.
In The Wisdom Not to Run!, a Krabby saw the Meltan clan arrive at Manalo Stadium.
A Trainer's Krabby appeared in Secrets of the Jungle.
A Trainer's Krabby appeared in Take My Thief! Please!.
A Krabby appeared in For Sure! 'Cause Sprigatito's with Me! and The Treasure After the Storm!. It reappeared during a flashback in HZ062.
A Krabby appeared in The Ancient Poké Ball.
Pokédex entries
Episode
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Pokémon
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Source
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Entry
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EP013
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Krabby
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Ash's Pokédex
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Krabby. Lives near the shore. Its average height is about 16 inches.
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Episode
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Pokémon
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Source
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Entry
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BW087
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Krabby
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Dawn's Pokédex
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Krabby, the River Crab Pokémon. Living on sandy beaches in burrows it digs, Krabby can grow back its pincers if they break off in battle.
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Pokémon: Twilight Wings
In Early-Evening Waves, a Krabby lived in a lake where Nessa was doing a photoshoot.
The Electric Tale of Pikachu
In The Orange Islands, Ash saved a Lapras from a group of Krabby that were attacking it.
Pokémon Journeys
A Krabby appeared in Getting More than You Battled For!.
Pokémon Adventures
During A Tale of Ninetales, Red caught a Krabby off-screen while he had some Blue's Pokémon in his party by mistake. Later, in What a Dragonite, after HM03 (Surf) was destroyed Krabby was traded for Misty's Gyarados, Gyara, since he already knew how to use Surf. She later appeared again with Misty worrying for Red in Do Wrong, Dewgong!.
A Krabby appeared in Murkrow Row, where it resided in Gold's house.
Misty later saved a Krabby trapped in Tohjo Falls in Chinchou in Charge. This act of kindness prompted Suicune to pick Misty as its Trainer, besides her being the expert for Water-type Pokémon.
Pokémon Zensho
In PZ06, Satoshi received a Krabby, among a few other Pokémon, from a Fisherman in exchange for the Dratini he found.