Squidrift's Pokédex entry refers to Squidrift's tentacles being eaten but being dangerously poisonous if not prepared correctly. This resembles fugu, a type of pufferfish served in Japanese and Korean cuisine. Many of its organs contain a lethal neurotoxin, and only specially trained chefs and fishermen can correctly remove them without contaminating the meat.
Design origin[]
Squidrift may be based on the Japanese flying squid, though real-life flying squid propel themselves into the air using pressurized jets of water instead of being filled with buoyant gases. It may also be partially inspired by the blanket octopus, which is poisonous and drifts through the water like a kite.
A common misconception of this line is that they are aquatic. In reality, Squink and Squidrift are both unable to swim, with Squink being a land-dwelling organism and Squidrift being an aerial organism.
At one time, Squidrift was part poison type and part psychic type that feasted on smog from industrial smoke stacks and was airborne by way of psychic powers. After disagreements on the concept, Squidrift became a poison and flying type pokemon that levitated via gas and propelled itself by expelling smog and other gases much like squid expel ink.
Name origin[]
Squidrift's name is a combination of squid and drift.