Rip Van Fish

Rip Van Fish are a variant of Cheep Cheeps and enemies which first appear in Super Mario World. A Rip Van Fish is usually found asleep.
==History==
===Super Mario World===
Rip Van Fish first appear in Super Mario World commonly appearing in underwater levels. They are seen sleeping but as Mario/Luigi approach, they wake up and give chase, they don't stop chasing the plumbers until they've killed them. However, if Mario/Luigi get too far from a Rip Van Fish, they will fall back asleep. While not much of a threat alone, they sometimes appear in groups which can make them very dangerous especially as they are faster than most fish enemies and the slow swimming Mario. Mario and Luigi cannot defeat these enemies unless they have a Fire Flower, use a Starman or have their Yoshi eat them. If Mario/Luigi is under the effects of a Starman, the Rip Van Fish will flee from him.
Rip Van Fish can also be awakened by the whistle of a Chargin' Chuck. While Mario can only awaken one fish at a time as he walks by, the whistle can awaken all the fish in an area which can make them a major threat.
===Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island/Yoshi's Island: Super Mario Advance 3===
Rip Van Fish also appear in Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island and Yoshi's Island: Super Mario Advance 3 where they move left to right (or up and down or even in a pattern) in Submarine sections. In this game, Rip Van Fish aren't seen sleeping but are rather moving around until Yoshi's approaches at which point they charge at him at a quick pace. You can defeat them by shooting missiles at that them in your Submarine form. A faster golden variant of Rip Van Fish which actually chases you called Piscatory Pete also appears, this variety can move in any direction and not just up, down, left, or right. Both varieties are primarily found in levels of World 3.
===Yoshi's Island DS===
The Rip Van Fish also appear in Yoshi's Island DS, in this game, they are practically invincible due to Submarine Yoshi being unable to shoot Missiles. They behave as they did previously (moving up and down or left and right) and ramming into Submarine Yoshi upon sight. In this game, Rip Van Fish are very rare enemies only found in one level, Island of Peril. Due to being located underwater, to earn the Rip Van Fish in the Museum, all you need to do is encounter the enemy as you cannot toss eggs at them, they are located in the Aquatic Enemy Exhibit. The Piscatory Pete also returns in this game.
== Etymology ==
They were named after Rip Van Winkle, a character from Washington Irving's Rip Van Winkle. The character supposedly spent nearly 100 years asleep, much like the Rip Van Fishes' constant sleeping patterns.
==Gallery==
Rip Van Fish sleeping SMW sprite.png|Super Mario World sprite
Rip Van Fish SNES.jpg|A Rip Van Fish from Super Mario World
Rip Van Fish 2.gif|A Rip Van Fish from Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island
Pescy pete.png|A Rip Van Fish from Yoshi's Island DS
==Trivia==
*The Rip Van Fish is similar to the Spiny Cheep-Cheep from the later games starting with New Super Mario Bros. Wii as both are purple fish that relentlessly chase the heroes upon sight. It is possible that the Spiny Cheep-Cheep has replaced the Rip Van Fish.
*The Rip Van Fish are among one of the few enemies from Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island and Yoshi's Island DS to not return in Yoshi's New Island.
==Navigation==
fr:Rip van Fish
es:Rip Van Fish
it:Rip Van Fish
de:Rip Van Fish
nl:Rip Van Fish
da:Rip Van Fish
no:Rip Van Fish
Category:Cheep Cheeps
Category:Fish
Category:Underwater Creatures
Category:Enemies in Super Mario World
Category:Enemies in Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island
Category:Enemies in Yoshi's Island DS