Fog-Crawler

A distant relative of the frogfish that has converged on similar evolutionary adaptations as mudskippers to breathe on land. Though it appears human in shape, Fog-Crawlers evolved in non-sapien ways; namely, its upper and lower fins have developed joints and claws capable of flexion. Completely scaleless, they have large fan-like fins on their hips and behind their head crest that are used as signals and warnings to other species. Large bioluminescent organs line their flanks. Smaller bioluminescent photophores line their limbs, head crest, and top the spines of their fins. They have an electricity-producing organ on the roof of their mouth. The current from which can be visibly seen in the form of a bioluminescent glow pulsing through the nerves under their mucus-coated skin.   Speaking of skin, Fog-Crawlers have the ability to breathe through their skin and the lining of their mouth (the mucosa) and throat (the pharynx this is only possible when the Fog-Crawlers are wet, limiting them to humid habitats and requiring that they keep themselves moist. This mode of breathing, similar to that employed by amphibians, is known as cutaneous respiration. Another important adaptation that aids breathing while out of water is their enlarged gill chambers, where they retain a bubble of air. These chambers close tightly when the fish is above water, due to a ventromedial valve of the gill slit, keeping the gills moist, and allowing them to function while exposed to air. Gill filaments are stiff and do not coalesce when out of water.   The funny thing about Fog-Crawlers is that they cannot swim. Lacking a swim bladder, they sink like rocks. Instead, they use their human-like limbs to walk, climb, and move along the seabed.

In order to mate, Fog-Crawlers must move from the ocean to freshwater lakes and swamps. They will usually emerge from the ocean at night in foggy conditions -hence the name- as the moisture in the air helps their skin keep from drying out and allow their electric abilities to function more effectively on land. Females are differentiated from the males by the enlarged vocal cords visible on the underside of their neck. To establish dominance, females will utter haunting screams, wails, and cries as loud as they can until one of them backs down. After this is done, the males will return to the sea while the females remain behind to care for their eggs. The eel-like young will remain clinging to the underside of their mother’s bellies until they undergo metamorphosis.

Bottom dwellers, the unusual appearance of the Fog-Crawler functions to conceal it from predators and sometimes to mimic a potential meal to its prey.

Since they cannot keep up with fast-swimming fish around them, they have evolved to be primarily ambush predators. Using a unique combination of natural camouflage, bait tactics, and bioluminescent displays, Fog-Crawlers attract a myriad of fish to feed on. They are capable of opening their mouths up to ten times their resting size. Allowing them to suck down small prey in the blink of an eye. But baitfish aren’t enough to satisfy a Fog-Crawler. They need a bigger fish. A shark. The hard part is that a shark won’t go for the same bait as other fish. Much like the electric eel, Fog-Crawlers can generate an electric current. In order to attract a shark, the Fog-Crawler will emit a low current into the surrounding water. The shark, guided by the electric sensitive organ in their nose, will begin to move inexorably in the direction of the Fog-Crawler. Once the shark is close, the Fog-Crawler will spike its output to dangerously high levels. This current is so powerful that it can affect nearby electronics even when the Fog-Crawler is on land. Once the shark has been fried, the Fog-Crawler will pull it down with its hands. If the prey continues to resist, the Fog-Crawler will hold on with its mouth and output low doses of an electric current into its prey, causing the prey's muscles to spasm and eventually exhausting it.   In the Trench, this hunting strategy limits them to the flooded expanses of the Depths, where other aquatic monsters can be found. Those who try hunting outside the Depths are rarely successful.

For the scaleless and unprotected Fog-Crawler, camouflage is an important defense against predators. But in the metal halls of the Trench, this camouflage has become near useless. Fog-Crawlers are wary and tend to avoid other creatures. Their main predator in the wild were orcas, but now also include a plethora of aquatic monsters in the Depths. When threatened, a Fog-Crawler will flare out its fins and flood them with an electric current. Causing a reaction with their bioluminescence that produces a sickly green glow. They will bellow until the offender backs away.

Fog-Crawler meat can be cooked and eaten. But it is not pleasant no matter how well it is prepared. Described as; "disgusting, tough, but somehow slimy at the same time."

In the wild, Fog-Crawlers could be found in the coastal waters of Ireland, Scotland, and the coast of New England. In the Trench, they can most commonly be found in the Depths, but have been known to wander up to the Lower Levels.