Dragonfish

This small flat fish has brown scales mottled with black. A series of needle-like spines runs the length of the fish on its dorsal side.

Dragonfish (CR 1)

Small Animal (Aquatic)
Alignment: Neutral
Initiative: +2
Senses: Darkvision 60 feet, Low-Light Vision, Scent; Perception +7

Speed: Swim 20 feet
Space: 5 feet

Defense

Armor Class: 16, touch 13, flat-footed 14 (+2 Dex, +3 natural, +1 size)
Hit Points: 9 (2d8)
Saving Throws: Fort +3, Ref +5, Will +0
camouflage, spines

Offense

Melee: bite +2 (1d4)
Reach: 5 feet

Special Attacks: poison

Statistics

Str	Dex	Con	Int	Wis	Cha
10 (+0)	15 (+2)	11 (+0)	2 (-4)	11 (+0)	4 (-3)

Base Attack Bonus: +1
CMB +0
CMD 12 (can't be tripped)

Feats: Skill Focus (Perception)

Skills: Perception +7, Stealth +10, Swim +10

• Racial Modifiers: Dragonfish use their Dexterity modifier for Swim checks.

Languages:

Special Abilities

Spines (Ex)

A creature that steps on a dragonfish or strikes it with an unarmed strike or a natural weapon takes 1d4 points of piercing damage from the fish's dorsal barbs and is subjected to its poison. Melee weapons do not endanger a user in this way. A charging or running creature must immediately stop if it steps on a dragonfish. A creature that takes more than 2 points of damage from a dragonfish's barb has its speed is reduced by half because its foot is wounded. This movement penalty lasts until the barb is removed, requiring a DC 15 Heal check at least 1 point of magical healing. A failure on the Heal check to remove a dragonfish spine results in 1d4 additional points of damage.

Dragonfish Poison (Ex)

Spine-injury; save Fort DC 11; frequency 1/round for 6 rounds; effect 1d2 Constitution; cure 1 save

Camouflage (Ex)

It takes a successful DC 20 Perception check to recognize a motionless dragonfish for what it really is.

Ecology

Environment: Any Aquatic
Organization: solitary
Treasure: none


A dragonfish is a small, 2-foot long, flat fish that makes its home on the bottom of shallow lakes, rivers, or streams. The dragonfish's back is covered with long, sharp spines. A dragonfish's dorsal spines carry a virulent poison that is delivered whenever an opponent contacts a spine.

They are non-aggressive and spend their days eating miniscule water creatures, insects, and aquatic plants. Dragonfish are not aggressive and prefer to lie on the bottom of a body of water, waiting for a victim to step on it so its poisonous spines penetrate the victim's flesh. If forced into melee, a dragonfish attacks with its bite.

Credit The Dragonfish originally appeared in the First Edition Fiend Folio (© TSR/Wizards of the Coast, 1981) and is used by permission.

Copyright Notice Author Scott Greene, based on original material by Albie Fiore.