Crystal Bulborb

The Crystal Bulborb is a subterranean grub-dog appearing in Pikmin: Treacherous Treasures. They are encountered only underground. Crystal Bulborbs have a black face, a black backside with green spots, and green eyes with gray sclerae. Covering their backside is a crystal shell and covering their legs and feet is crystal armor, protecting the creatures from most Pikmin attacks and giving them their name. Crystal Bulborbs are usually found wandering around a set territory but they can sometimes be found asleep. The sound of a bomb rock explosion will not wake a sleeping Crystal Bulborb, but being hurt by it will.

Defeating a Crystal Bulborb can be tricky because of its crystal armor and behavioral patterns. Its armor can be broken, using Rock Pikmin or bomb rocks, to expose the soft skin underneath. A single bomb rock should be sufficient in completely shattering its crystal armor and inflicting massive damage to the creature. If either is unavailable, Crystal Bulborbs are best left alone. However, its face and eyes are always vulnerable to attack. The shards of its armor can be collected for each.

=In other games=

In Pikmin: Wide World
The Crystalline Bulborb appears in Pikmin: Wide World as a grub-dog that is exclusive to Mycelial Sepulcher and its caves. Their dwarf counterpart, the Dwarf Crystalline Bulborb, can be encountered in the same area and is often found in their company. Crystalline Bulborbs may be found sleeping on dry land, typically together or nearby Dwarf Crystalline Bulborbs. They will awaken if they are touched, harmed, or hear a sound loud enough to rouse them from their sleep. An awake Crystalline Bulborb will relentlessly pursue any Pikmin or leaders it sees until they leave its territory. At that point, the creature will attempt to find a spot near its original resting position and return to its slumber.

Crystalline Bulborbs are the same size and shape as most other bulborbs. They have dark gray skin, a black backside with green spots, and striking, emerald-colored eyes, supported by eyestalks, with white sclerae. Crystalline Bulborbs are notable for and named after the crystal armor protecting their backside and legs. The crystal shell on their backside has multiple pointed projections of various lengths and thicknesses emerging from it and has two holes on the bottom that the creatures' legs fit through. Pikmin that are thrown at these projections will not be impaled on them. Around the lower legs of a Crystalline Bulborb are cylindrical, crystal tubes that further protect the creature from attacks. Their two fangs and four claws are white in color.

Until a Crystalline Bulborb's armor is destroyed, either partially or wholly, only its face and eyes are vulnerable to attack. Although Rock Pikmin can be used to destroy the crystal armor protecting their backside and legs, rocks and ordinary bomb rocks can be used as well. Bomb rocks are the most damaging, as a single one can not only destroy its crystal shell and leg guards but also deal significant damage to the creature itself. As with most grub-dogs, the eyes of a Crystalline Bulborb are vulnerable to attack, and throwing Pikmin at them will cause the creature to flinch and release any Pikmin currently in its mouth. Any leaders a Crystalline Bulborb chomps down on will be chewed up, and then spat out alongside any Pikmin in its mouth at the time. Upon death, a Crystalline Bulborb will fall to the ground and yield. On the surface, its corpse can be brought to either the Dolphin Lander to gain or the Master Onion to gain ten Pikmin seeds. Underground, its corpse can be carried to the Lander Pod to either gain or be stored for later to gain ten Pikmin seeds from the Master Onion, but only if the cave is exited using an escape geyser.

Olimar's notes

 * "The crystalline bulborb is an intelligent grub-dog that wears the discarded shells of crystalline crushblats. This armor protects the grub-dog from predators in its subterranean environment. Around its lower legs are hollow crystal pieces, which further protect the creature and fit snugly around its legs. Its dark coloration serves for more effective hunting in dark locations."

Shacho's notes

 * "Its eyes shine like emeralds! Speaking of precious gems, I wonder how much its crystal armor would sell for back on Hocotate..."

Marie's notes

 * "Crystalline bulborbs prefer to have their crystal armor on at all times, and if it is removed, they may get grouchy. They'll eventually get used to it, but expect some attitude if you have it taken off. Otherwise, they sleep a lot but can be easily woken up should it be necessary."

Louie's notes

 * "This beast's meat is firm and has an earthy flavor. Goes best in a hearty stew with potatoes, carrots, and cabbage!"

Dolphin Lander's notes

 * "It amazes me that there are such unique varieties of grub-dog in each region of PNF-404 that we have visited so far. This one, in particular, interests me because it makes use of something created by another, unrelated creature. Crystalline bulborbs wear those crystal shells well!"