A Rip Van Fish is a sleeping fish found in Super Mario World. It is a large blue fish with orange fins, tail and lips along with a pair of big eyes. If Mario swims too close to a Rip Van Fish, it will awaken and begin to chase him until he can put significant distance between them, at which point the fish will go back to sleep. However, if Mario is invincible, it will do the opposite and flee from him. It is unknown whether it is related to Cheep Cheeps, which are found near them.
Rip Van Fish is named after the literary character Rip Van Winkle, who fell asleep for twenty years.
Rip Van Fish first appeared in Super Mario World. In this game, they can also be awakened by the whistle of a Chargin' Chuck in Forest of Illusion 2. Whereas Mario can only awaken one fish at a time, the whistle can awaken all the fish in an area.
In "King Scoopa Koopa", after leaping down a Warp Pipe in the Star Path to escape several cave people transformed into Chickadactyls, Mario and Princess Toadstool end-up in the ocean. Seeing several Rip Van Fish surrounding them, Mario and Princess Toadstool make a mad-dash to a nearby Warp Pipe, in the process, waking-up all the nearby Rip Van Fish. Fortunately, Mario and Princess Toadstool struck into the Warp Pipe before the Rip Van Fish can attack them.
In "Mama Luigi"; Luigi and Yoshi, after falling into the ocean, end-up waking a nearby Rip Van Fish, which proceeds to chase Luigi and Yoshi. Attempting to escape the Rip Van Fish, Luigi and Yoshi enter a nearby, underwater tunnel and begin swimming furiously, avoiding obstacles such as ? Blocks and Urchins. Eventually, the Rip Van Fish, having apparently grown bored of chasing Luigi and Yoshi, quickly stops and begins to nap once again, allowing Luigi and Yoshi to get away.
Super Mario World / Super Mario World: Super Mario Advance 2[edit]
Super Mario World Instruction Booklet:This little fellow is always taking a nap, but when Mario comes along, he wakes up, and sets off in hot pursuit. Whatever you do, don't let Rip touch Mario.[1]
Super Mario World: Super Mario Advance 2 "Denizens of Dinosaur Land" poster:Even though these little guys are always napping, they wake up whenever Mario or Luigi comes near and set off in hot pursuit. Whatever you do, don't let them catch you!