Coral Goatfish
Ornithichthys tetrapteryx is a Terastioikofilid Tartarosomnian amphibian from the west inner Phantom Sea.
The animal lives close to the inner coast, usually in the outer reef, where the waters get deeper and the lusher reef gives room to the massive shells of the boulder plants, feeding on other amphibians and small armoured plant's buds they can gnaw away with their large mouth.
O. tetrapteryx lives in cryptic spaces repaired from the strong currents coming from the Inner sea; moving between these confined spaces only seldomly and resting for the majority of the day, ambushing prey from the darkness of their hiding spots.
During the night, the species comes near the surface and into the Inner reef, where they can feed and hunt more freely; the peculiar pupil shape gives them a larger view angle, making them more aware of both predators and prey sneaking behind them.
Due to its colouration and size, the animal has become a staple game "fish" in the Inner Phantom seas, to a point where several populations have shrunk to alarming extents in the last century.
O. tetrapteryx is sold as canned meat in the Union's territories.
In 2460 the biggest producer of canned ichthyomorph meats was caught mixing Goatfish meat in with the much more expensive J. equatorialis without the proper labeling, in what was then a nationwide scandal.
Basic Information
Anatomy
- Head moderately long with a high crest formed by the dorsal section of the Fronto-Temporal plate.
- Mouth wide with few, long, conical teeth projecting outwards laterally to the mouth.
- Eye with long horizontal pupils.
- Jaw subtriangular in shape.
- Pectoral and Anal I fins very elongated, leaf shaped.
- Dorsal and Anal II fins small and veiled.
- Gill tail short ending in a very reduced Gill Fan with almost unexsisting ridges and caudal drop.
Genetics and Reproduction
Promiscuous species.
The species mates in mid-spring; when the Armoured plants are in the full reproductive stage.
O. tetrapteryx during this time of year is more active, thanks to the larger amounts of food available, making them more accepting towards conspecifics.
The species doesn't actively seek out a mate, bumping into each other while moving from one hiding spot to the other, eventually a male and female find themselves; the male will mate with any female it finds, forcing itself on the partner and leaving soon after finishing to avoid the female chasing after him.
Females have been observed killing and cannibalizing males if they get caught before being able to flee after mating.
The female incubates the eggs inside the duct for a few hours, before laying between 70 and 200 eggs in the hiding spot where she mated; soon after she leaves to forage a new spot.
Most eggs are eaten by other males coming into the hiding spot after her departure or other animals; females moving inside a hiding spot with eggs have been observed eating them or throwing them out into the open ocean.
Studies of captive specimens demonstrated the species can mate year long but only do so in periods of high activity when food is most abundant; no captive specimen ever managed to breed successfully as they the eggs don't hatch in captivity due to the specific environmental conditions they require for incubation.
Growth Rate & Stages
Ontogenesis in the species quite marked.
Young specimens have bigger dorsal and anal fins, making them more adapted to the high currents outside the cryptic environments mature specimens live in; this adaptation makes the young more fit to stay outside longer and have access to buds and small amphibians that grow too far from where the adults can reach.
Loss of natal aculeus three to eight days after hatching.
Ecology and Habitats
Epipelagic animal found at depths ranging from 10 - 70 m during the day and 3 - 70 m during the night.
they live in the outer reef in cryptic environments between rocks or boulder plants, where they are repaired from the strong currents coming from the Inner Phantom sea.
Dietary Needs and Habits
Omnivorous species that hunts mostly during the night.
The animal is mostly predatorial but eats small buds of Armoured plants, when the armour is soft enough they can gnaw it away with the large mouth.
Biological Cycle
Periannial creature with few dips in activity year long.
The species enters an hyperactive state in Mid-Spring, when food is most abundant.
Additional Information
Social Structure
Lonesome animal with few tolerance of Conspecifics, even during the mating season.
Domestication
Rarely kept in private aquariums due to the size and specific requirements to maintain it.
Advised only for experienced owners with many years of experience in the field.
Sometimes seen in public aquariums in displays on the Inner Phantom sea's ecosystems.
Uses, Products & Exploitation
Of major economic importance in the food industry for the production of canned meats, especially for the mass fishing of young specimens or night fishing of adults.
Recently becoming more difficult to find due to overfishing.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Reefs of the Larger Interior, Inner Phantom Sea.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Extremely developed eyesight.
Symbiotic and Parasitic organisms
Afflicted by Intestinal Tube Worms and intra-ocular parasites.
Scientific Name
Eoichthyia; Tartarosomnia; Scutophalidae; Calvatopinnoidea; Caligobeloidea; Terastioikofilidae ; Ornithichthys; O. tetrapteryx
Lifespan
20 Years
Conservation Status
Vulnerable to locally Extinct: Several populations at high risk, some natural reserves have been created to protect this and many other species.
Population Trend: DECLINE
Average Weight
2-15 kg
Average Length
Body Tint, Colouring and Marking
light green-sea foam on the first half of the body, blending into an azure-blue colouration towards the tail.
purple forehead to the first half of the dorsum, purple stripes come down from the dorsum.
Pectoral fins purple blending into a more bluish hue towards the tip.
Dorsal and Anal II fins get lighter towards the end, arm green.
Anal I fin has a purple contour going down half the length of the fin starting from the tip.
Remove these ads. Join the Worldbuilders Guild
Comments