Bloomcap Bloyster

The Bloomcap Bloyster is an enemy introduced in. It is the original species from which the Ranging and Toady Bloysters originate, and as such possesses traits later found in both species, namely the tail-like gills, and the tentacle-like tongues. Unique to the Bloomcap Bloyster is the shell protecting its back, which protects its body from damage; this shell can be folded upwards, which traps Pikmin attacking its gill but exposes the rest of its body to attacks.

Behavior
It behaves much like a vacuum and will suck up any object in its path, be they treasures, Pikmin, or bomb rocks. When its gill is attacked, it folds up its shell, reducing the damage dealt by Pikmin attacking the gill but exposing the rest of its body to attack.

Locations

 * Giant's Hearth
 * Cavern for a King

Strategy
If you're not careful, the Bloomcap Bloyster can quickly kill Pikmin, as anything that touches it's small tentacles coming out of its mouth will be eaten in seconds. It's best to get behind the Bloomcap Bloyster with Oatchi and to throw your Pikmin onto it's tail. Doing so will result in its' shell folding upwards, giving you a good opportunity to Charge it or to ram into it with Oatchi.

If you want to play it safe, feed it a Bomb Rock, Mine, or Trackonator, two of them will kill it.

Curiously, the Bloomcap Bloyster will not notice you if you sneak up behind it and attack using Rock Pikmin. Another safe option is to use Winged Pikmin, who are able to home in on the enemy's gill and are immune to its eating attack while airborne.

Trivia

 * The Bloomcap Bloyster is the only enemy in the series to leave behind two corpses, its gill and its shell.