The Pinchlers

The Pinchlers are a race of crab people who evolved from certain crustaceans.

Appearance
The Pinchlers are hairless crustaceans who come in three types: crabs, lobsters or hermit crabs. The crabs come in the colors of red, blue or white, the lobsters come in the colors maroon, yellow, pink and white while hermit crabs come in orange, blue or pink. Their shells come in the colors tan, pink, purple, black or green. All of the three variants have sharp pointy feet and have rock-hard torsos and lower halves, though their heads don't actually have any armor. They all have claws, though the lobsters have the most serrated and the largest while the hermit crabs have the smallest.

Defense-wise, the Pinchlers are pretty formidable against most shots to the torso or lower half. However, shots to the head almost mean certain doom for the Pinchler, as their heads are incredibly weak and stick out like a sore thumb (thanks to the eye stalks or antennae on top of their heads). Combat-wise, they're very strong. Their sharp claws can cut through flesh and bone with ease, though they only use their claws when enemies are right next to them. They shoot ink, much like the Inklings and Octarians. However, their ink can have certain effects such as poison or fire. They are also very fast, being much faster than an Inkling when both are walking. Overall, they're pretty strong closeup and at faraway distances and are very good soldiers to have.

Pinchlers are able to turn into either crabs, lobsters or hermit crabs, depending on what variant and color they are. In this form, Pinchlers can climb walls and leave behind ink of their team's color. On Singleplayer, they leave behind the ink of their body color.

Diet
Pinchlers have a strict diet of plants but they are able to eat meat, making them omnivores. They mostly eat kelp and algae but will eat small fish if there are no plants around.

Since they live near water, obtaining these types of food is much easier.

Culture
The Pinchlers live in a city near Inkopolis known as Claw City. Despite the silly name, the Pinchlers are actually intelligent and often show this by doing intellectual activities. They live under a democracy and don't agree with something until all adult Pinchlers agree.

Along with being smartwise, they're also athletic. They usually have wrestling matches with their claws for either fun or for a competition. They also have a game similar to volleyball known as Pinch Play. Basically, Pinchlers toss a giant oyster shell over a net. They are a mostly war-related species, often wanting to battle other races, unlike most other races who only fight opposing races to survive. However, they aren't actually evil. They just like fighting and battles.

Despite this, some Pinchlers live in Inkopolis and other friendly civilizations. However, despite their intelligence, they are pretty gullible. They are often hired by evil races or evil individuals as militia, defense or just to help them steal something. Most Pinchlers, however, aren't very gullible and, yet, aren't stubborn either.

Backstory
The Pinchlers evolved from multiple crustaceans, with crabs being the most common Pinchler variant. They evolved because rising waters chased them onto land. Being able to live on land before the water rose, they evolved at a rate much quicker than the Inklings or Octarians, which were originally squids and octopi. The Pinchlers easily withstood the rising waters and built their city on a shore not far from where Inkopolis would be. This city came to be known as Claw City and soon became famous upon many races.

When the Great Turf War started, the Pinchlers were dragged into the battle by both Inklings and Octarians. Because they were more armored than the two races, less Pinchlers were killed than Inklings and Octarians. The Pinchlers on the Octarians' side soon learned of DJ Octavio's plans and most of them betrayed him. Those who didn't leave him possibly didn't because they wanted the power of the Great Zapfish as well.

Once the Great Turf War ended, many Pinchlers went back to Claw City or Inkopolis. Those working for the Octarians were killed by any Inkling still standing on the battlefield.

Relationships
The Pinchlers are a friendly race, unlike quite a few others. Therefore, they have a few allies. Though they do have enemies, mainly because they're dragged into wars by opposing races.
 * Inklings: The Pinchlers adore the Inklings with a passion. They love watching turf wars and often join Splatfest. Many Pinchlers actually moved to Inkopolis because of their devotion to them. Pinchlers often teach Pinch Play to Inklings if they're friendly enough.
 * Octarians: They are neutral with the Octarians, though their relationship with them could improve. Many Pinchlers hate the Octarians because they captured the Great Zapfish. Those who looked past this evil deed saw them as a great, intelligent race, much like themselves. Despite this, many Pinchlers fought against the Octarians in the Great Turf War.
 * Orelans: The Pinchlers haven't ever met the Orelans in the Great Turf Wars. As seen in the mission Captured in Battle, three Pinchlers are captured by the Orelans but are soon freed by the hero. This may mean that the Orelans also despise the Pinchlers.
 * Lochlings: The Lochlings and Pinchlers haven't ever met each other, but since both live near water, it isn't uncommon for either side to meet each other. Overall, they'd be neutral if they ever met.

Trivia

 * The Pinchlers can live up to 60 years, mainly because of their odd, healthy diets.
 * Much like real crabs, they can only move sideways.
 * However, this only applies for the crabs and hermit crabs.
 * Apparently, Pinchlers aren't able to swim, despite eating seafood and living near the shores.
 * Many Pinchlers are teachers or scientists in Inkopolis.