Darting Ixwahead
Ixwamorphorostrum xiphiamimus is a species of Xiphicephaline Hijerakid amphibian from the tropical waters of the Gulf Sea and Tropical Belt.
The species is found in the open waters outside the reefs, in the pelagic environments up to the Jishou Islands, covering large stretches of open sea with its powerful body muscles and fins.
The most evident characteristic of the species is the long rostrum not too dissimilar to the one evolved on Earth by Xiphiids fishes such as the Swordfish († Xiphias gladius) both in shape and function.
The animal uses the long rostrum to slash at prey, usually being Selenopiscoids or other shoaling amphibians, injuring them with the sharp lateral sides of the elongated fronto-temporal plate.
The animal is in direct competition with the Living Spear where the two meet; even though I. xiphiamimus can't compare to the speeds Theothanatoxifos fulmineus achieves, the two often fight for territory when they enter in contact, the Ixwahead using its superior agility to evade the contender's attacks and the rostrum to try and hit the passing spear.
The species will often use the rostrum in mate selection which sometimes results in it breaking, however, the broken plate is easily grown back by the creature, who will need to rely on its agility alone to hunt until it is regrown.
The species is mostly consumed in the Jishou Islands, however, it's not uncommon to find it on the market on the mainland of New Louisiana, Gran Koraha, Keun Hang-gu and even Nea Athina.
The animal can be cooked into large steaks on a grill or pan, oiled in synthetic olive oil and accompanied with boiled traveller's corn.
Basic Information
Anatomy
- Extremely elongated Fronto-temporal plate of the cranium.
- Jaw relatively thin compared to the cranium.
- Body elongated and thin
- Pectoral fins very long and spear shaped.
- Anal I & II fins spear shaped.
- Dorsal fin subtriangular and veiled.
- Gill Tail moderately long, ending in a very low and long Gill Fan.
- Very soft caudal drop.
Genetics and Reproduction
Seasonal monogamous species.
Ixwamorphorostrum xiphiamimus mates from Autumn to early-spring.
During the mating season, the species will move closer to the shores to hunt and nest.
Females will nest alongside rocky slopes, where they'll lay their eggs in small crevasses and chasms along the walls, signalling their position with pheromonic clouds.
A female will mate with a single male for the season, which will be chosen by the female herself.
Males will fight over a general territory by crossing rostrums and violently shaking their head sideways to try and hit the other duelist; a fight between males can get very violent and it's not uncommon for the two animals to take damage during these events, ranging from scratches to open slashes across the body.
The winning male will have to duel with the female too for the right to mate, in a similar way it had to fight the other males; in this second fight, the male won't need to overpower the generally much stronger female but simply to endure her strikes for the time needed for her to start the second phase of the mating selection progress: the chase.
If the female sees the male is enduring her strikes, she'll try to chase him away from her territory; during this chase the male will avoid her charges and try to give chase after her, lightly tapping his body against hers.
If the male demonstrates he's agile enough to avoid the female, the actual mating can start.
The male, to signal that the local female is taken, will release a counter-agent to the female's which will cover her signal with his.
The female will incubate the eggs in the duct for two to three weeks before laying around thirty to forty-five eggs in the nesting zone among the rocks.
The eggs hatch a couple of months after being laid and the hatchlings will be raised by the father for the first few months of life.
The father will parent only a few young, usually being the bigger and more energetic ones while abandoning the others to fend on their own.
Growth Rate & Stages
Ontogenesis in the species very marked.
Hatchlings are born with a reduced rostrum and will develop it progressively while growing.
For the first few years they'll have to rely on their agility to hunt.
Loss of natal aculeus after a week from birth.
Ecology and Habitats
Epipalegic species found at depths between 10 and 200 m.
They are found in clear, open waters, the population is very regionalized by external pressures.
Dietary Needs and Habits
Predatory species relying on its agility and sharp rostrum to hunt.
They prey mainly upon Selenopiscoids, Cyclopiscopinninids and Oniids.
Biological Cycle
Periannial creature with few dips in activity year long.
Additional Information
Social Structure
Lonesome animal congregating in small groups in feeding frenzies, otherwise intolerant towards conspecifics.
Domestication
Mostly kept in public aquariums due to the animal's size and the space it requires to live comfortably.
A few rich collectors possess captive specimens in private tanks.
Uses, Products & Exploitation
Mostly of economic importance in the food industry, the animal has been so far impossible to breed in captivity.
Otherwise of minor economic impact around the Jishou Islands for Ecotourism.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Southern shores of the the Kimbawan continent from the southernmost territories of Yan to the eastern shore or Whenua O Te Ra, Gulf Sea.
Southernmost population up to the Jishou Islands, Tropical belt.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Very good eyesight and hearing.
Symbiotic and Parasitic organisms
Afflicted by Intestinal Tube Worms, in a commensalistic relationship with smaller amphibians.
Scientific Name
Eoichthyia; Hijerakia; Xiphicephalidae ; Xiphicephalinae; Ixwamorphorostrum; I. xiphiamimus
Lifespan
34 Years
Conservation Status
Near Threatened: No measures underway to protect the species
Population trend: DECLINE
Average Weight
180-275 kg
Average Length
Body Tint, Colouring and Marking
Cyan to sea foam voloured body, countershaded in the belly.
Rostrum shaded in a darker blue to be less visible.
Fins striped in a darker blue, same colour used in the single band going along the medial line of the body.
Fins tipped in green, same green makes ring patterns along the upper chest to the upper tail.
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