Aquis

Aquis (シードラ) is a seahorse-type Badnik created by Dr. Robotnik, that is first seen in Sonic the Hedgehog 2. Aquis moves around in the air and start shooting oil projectiles from its snout when it sees its target moving near by.

Appearance
Based on seahorses, Aquis has a yellow and white metallic body. The head section has white eyes, two sharp antennas and a small, vuvuzela-shaped snout. In the neck hole are two bolts set on each side. On the back side is a row of five back spikes. Unlike real seahorses, these Badniks also has small wing fins, although it is unclear if the Badnik can float because of the wing fins.

There are differences between in-game sprites and artwork illustrations, as the artwork shows Aquis to have sharp a spike at the end of its tail, while in-game sprites show the Badniks having a normal tail like real seahorses do.

Sonic the Hedgehog 2
Making its first appearance in Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Aquis patrols the Oil Ocean Zone, there can one or two Badniks at same time. When it sees the player, it starts moving closely forward him/her and shoots oil projectiles. Aquis doesn't move away after that, as it floats around the player for while and keeps shooting more projectiles. Due of this fact, the player would have difficulties avoiding these Badniks and it is better to keep moving.

However after a while, it starts attacking by moving towards the player and then floats away without stopping. The player is able to destroy these Badniks by Spin Jumping on them right time, when it doesn't shoot its projectiles.

Sonic Blast
An unnamed Badnik similar to Aquis appears at Blue Marine Zone in Sonic Blast. These Badniks scuttle through both overworld and underwater sections of the zone and start firing projectiles. However unlike Aquis, if the player destroys Badniks by doing Spin Jump at right time, they don't have Animals inside them at all.

Sonic Lost World
Aquis reappears in Sonic Lost World as an enemy in Frozen Factory Zone 1. They swoop down from above and use a vacuum attack to steal the player's Rings.

Powers and abilities
Aquis are able to float and move in the air. It moves around until seeing its target, it starts shooting small black oil projectiles towards its target. It keeps moving around its target, and shooting its projectiles until Aquis itself attacks and floats away.

Sonic the Comic
Aquis has made few appearances in Fleetway's Sonic the Comic as part of Robotnik's Badnik army. In issue 5's story "Lost in the Labyrinth Zone", a pair of Aquis Badniks with a slightly different appearance, were subordinates to the Arachbot in the Labyrinth Zone when he captured Tails. They were defeated by Sonic and their organic batteries were freed. In issue 7 story "Super Sonic", it is shown that one Aquis was left free in the Oil Ocean Zone during a cleanup operation by the zone's workforce. When the same Aquis Badnik discovers Sonic the Hedgehog in the zone, it starts attacking him, causing him to being chased down to the oil pool. The Aquis then ignites the oil, making everyone think that the Badniks has finished the hedgehog completely. Surprisingly Sonic transforms into Super Sonic and destroys Aquis Badnik, which tries to escape from him after the transformation.

Aquis Badniks are never seen since then in the comic's run with the exception of appearing at pin-up of issue 96. Sonic the Poster Mag #3 features Aquis on the cover and pin-up, while Aquis Badniks are also seen in Sonic the Poster Mag #5, "Ocean of Horror!".

Archie Comics
Three Aquis Badniks made appearance in Archie's Sonic the Hedgehog comic issues 228 and 229. These Badniks are seen guarding Oil Ocean Zone during the Genesis story arc., and attacked Sally, Rotor, and Antoine. Unlike game appearances, these Badniks actually shoot lasers instead of oil projectiles. As Antoine accidentally stumbles and falls to the cannon which shoots toward Aquis Badniks, destroying them and releasing animals inside of them.

Trivia

 * In the Simon Wai prototype of Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Aquis Badniks have slightly different appearance as having more of a pink color scheme as well. Unlike in the final version of the game, these Badniks also behave more erratically. In the Oil Ocean Debug list, there exists a variation of this Badnik that seems to spit harmless projectiles. They are internally known as "seahorse" and "skyhorse", respectively.