The mollusking family consists of three known species, each said to be in a different stage of the family's evolution. Attached to the backs of these large, slug-like mollusks is a frilly appendage resembling a berry or a flower bud which functions as the creatures' gills. Such an outlandish means of respiration may seem far-fetched, but a real-world order of snails and slugs called nudibranchs breathe through colorful frills on their backs. Technically, in Pikmin 2, both appearing members of the family are the same, but Toady Bloysters are given special traits to decrease their size, and lack the leader chasing mechanic.
All members of this family are in the Molluschid genus.
Members
Bloomcap Bloyster
- Main article: Bloomcap Bloyster.
The Bloomcap Bloyster is an enemy introduced in Pikmin 4. It is the original species from which the Ranging and Toady Bloysters originate, and as such possesses traits from both species, namely the Ranging Bloyster's longer tentacles and the Toady Bloyster's ink spray. 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.
Ranging Bloyster
- Main article: Ranging Bloyster.
The Ranging Bloyster is a large form of the Toady Bloyster, named for its longer tentacle mouthparts and bigger size. This creature is difficult to beat because it tracks the player's active leader. Whatever color the leader's antenna beacon is, the eyes and tail of the Bloyster will change to that color; it also emits a different sound depending on the leader's color.
The best way to beat it is to lead one of the leaders behind the creature and then have the other leader while the Bloyster faces the diversion leader, and start throwing them on its back or tail while the Bloyster can't face the leader. If it turns around, switching to the other leader to refresh the diversion is a good strategy.
Toady Bloyster
- Main article: Toady Bloyster.
Toady Bloysters are slug-like creatures that creep along the ground in search of food, and upon discovering Pikmin, they lash out their adhesive pseudopodia-like tentacles. Any Pikmin hit by the tentacles stick, and are ingested if the Bloyster is not killed before it can finish "chewing". The gill-like organ on its back is its weak point, being the only damageable spot in Pikmin 2, and a source of extra damage in Pikmin 3.
When damaged, they attack by shaking their tail in Pikmin 2, and emitting non-fatal ink in Pikmin 3. Because the only Toady Bloyster in the game holds a treasure (the Aquatic Mine), entering a cave makes it respawn. Thanks to this, it is a very low-risk method of spawning large amounts of Pikmin in a short amount of time.
Naming
The family's name is an alteration of the word mollusk. Members of this family use the word "Bloyster" in their name. "Bloyster" is a gibberish alteration of "oyster"; it could possibly be a portmanteau of "bloat" and "oyster," given the bloated look of the creature. Their scientific names use Molluschid for the genus name, which is similar to "mollusk".
Names in other languages
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| Language | Name | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
 Japanese |
ケメクジ科? Kemekuji ka |
Kemekuji family |
 Chinese(traditional) |
蛞蝓科 | |
 French |
mollusques mollusquidés (Pikmin 4) |
mollusks |
 German |
Mollusken | |
 Korean |
맨들민달팽이 과 | |
 Portuguese (NoA) |
Molusflorídeos | |
 Spanish |
Molúsquidos | From "molusco" (mollusk) |
