Earlier today a Water Festival event started in Pokémon GO, which increase the appearance rates of Magikarp, Squirtle and Totodile, among other Water-types. What hasn’t been announced is the news of the first shiny Pokémon in the game! Numerous reports have since appeared of players catching shiny Magikarp. They can be evolved as well into the infamous Red Gyarados.

The addition has now been advertised on the official Twitter account.

Trainers across the world are reporting sightings of rare golden Magikarp in the wild! https://t.co/ZjUoac0wKG pic.twitter.com/ymx3jzwSY2

— Pokémon GO (@PokemonGoApp) March 24, 2017

Shiny Magikarp do not appear as shiny in the tracking – only when you enter a battle with it. We know that they are not guaranteed to have good statistics however. This ties in with the claim a Niantic employee at an event cryptically said to ‘save your candy’ – Magikarp require 400 Magikarp Candy to evolve into Gyarados.

The appearance rates of these shiny Magikarp is not yet known. One trusts that they will stick around after the Water Festival event ends! It has also been reported that a Magikarp appearing as Shiny in your game will not necessarily be shiny for other players. We’ve also found out that the game warns players if they try to transfer a shiny Pokémon.

Lastly, be wary – there is still a chance that a shiny Magikarp could turn into a regular Ditto.

Are you determined to hunt down a shiny Magikarp?

Thanks to Achromatic for the tip.