Can Chinchou be Shiny in Pokemon GO?

Chinchou has been chosen as the featured Pokemon for Spotlight Hour this Tuesday, Nov. 9, leading to the age old question: can it be shiny in Pokemon GO?

This electric and water-type is primarily based on a particular species of deepwater fish known as the angler fish. In dark waters, the illuminated front near the front of its head lures in unsuspecting prey, which it snaps up. While Chinchou doesn't look nearly as deadly, its PokeDex entry does make reference to a striking resemblance to this behavior.

Shiny Chinchou in Pokemon GO

Yes, trainers can find shiny Chinchou in Pokemon GO. Chinchou was originally implemented into Pokemon GO alongside its evolved form, Lanturn, during the primary release of Johto region natives in February 2017. Their shiny variants did not debut until three years later, however, with the Liverpool Safari Zone event in 2020.

Shiny Chinchou is simply tinted green. Its pale blue body becomes turquoise-green while its yellow lights and eyes turn lime green. Surprisingly, Lanturn does not follow suit, and instead has its shiny form differentiated by a bright purple body. Both are easy to tell apart from their normal variants.

Spotlight Hour is one of the best times for trainers to hunt for shiny versions of specific Pokemon due to the influx of that species in one area. While the shiny chance in Pokemon GO does no increase, trainers can artificially inflate their probability of a shiny encounter regarding that specific Pokemon due to the sheer numbers that spawn.

Chinchou's PokeDex number is #170. Also known as the "Angler" Pokemon, it uses electrical pulses from its lit antennae to incapacitate its prey. It has also been known to use those lights to communicate with others underwater.

Chinchou Spotlight Hour will take place between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m., local time, on Tuesday, Nov. 9. Participating trainers will benefit from twice the transfer candy.