Hetherian Ocean King-Northling

Aurorichthys tenuimaxillae is a Cinerichthyd Quadratocephalid amphibian from the Hetherian Ocean.
The small animal lives close to the surface in open waters, feeding on floating algal forests or around algal pillars; to forage, the animal uses the long and sharp beak-like dentition of the maxilla to cut the fibrous thalli and fronds; the thinly laminated beak needs the slightest pressure to cut through the flora the animal feeds on, allowing the animal to efficiently forage while keeping bite strength to a minimum.
The teeth growing on both the maxillar armour ridge and the jaw are display teeth, serving no actual purpose in feeding or protecting the animal but rather in attracting mates.
This southern cousin of the Common Northling, like most members of its family, is toxic if eaten due to the byproduct of the digestion of the algae it feeds on.
Due to it being very low in the trophic chain, it gets hunted by many animals, most of which, through biomagnification of these toxins, also become inedible to humans.
The animal finds popularity in the pet industry due to its colouration and sociality towards other species and humans alike.

Basic Information

Anatomy

• Head very high; mouth very thin, cranial armour detatching from the chondrocranium in the maxillary and premaxillary area.

• Two small crests on the ventral base of the jaw.

• Large display teeth in the maxilla, smaller display teeth in the jaw.

• Actual maxillary dentition composed by a long and thin beak-like structure.

• Pectoral fin long and spear shaped, moved ventrally to the body.

• Anal I & II fins smaller and larger, subtriangular.

• Dorsal fin vestigial and veiled.

• Gill Tail extremely long, ending in a small and round Gill Fan.

Skull diagram:

Show spoiler

In image only Chondrocranial and Splanchnocranial elements are shows, dermocranial armour not shown:

Genetics and Reproduction

Seasonally monogamous species.
A. tenuimaxillae mates during algae blooming season; when resources are most abundant.
Mate selection is quick, having a series of males court the same female with the latter choosing the one with the brightest colours and longest display teeth.
The male, once the female is fertilized, will not detatch from her ducts, using the parapenis to seal the eggs inside the female, shielding them from the cold waters outside; two to three days after insemination, the eggs will hatch and they'll feed on the specialized substance released by the male's parapenis, which will give them energy and the enzymes needed to start eating the algae once they're free.
Once the young have roughly doubled in weight, they'll be free to exit the mother's duct and join the shoal outside; for the first few days of life after being released, they'll still find refuge inside the mother's duct, if threatened.

Growth Rate & Stages

Ontogenesis is very noticeable in the species.
At birth, the spawn will be millimetric in size, with a small and blunted natal aculeus.
After two days of life they'll start to become bigger and the aculeus will start moving to the back of the body.
At six days of age they'll be full adults and the natal aculeus fully absorbed; brightness of the colouration is highly dependant on how rich the diet of the young specimen is and the richness in nutrients of the natal liquid.

Ecology and Habitats

Epipelagic species found living at depths between 0 and 40 m.
Likes open waters with plenty of algal forests.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Herbivorous animal that forages algae cutting them with the sharp beak-like dentition.

Biological Cycle

Seasonal species hybernating when the algae go into cryostasis.

Additional Information

Social Structure

Very social animal living in thighly packed communities in and around large algal colonies.
When resting, the species is very social towards both conspecifics and other animals sharing their habitat.

Domestication

Kept in home aquariums for its social behaviours and colouration; the low maintainement of the animal makes it suitable for beginners and intermediate owners.
Some morphs available on the market, most trying to brighten the colours to verious extremes.

Uses, Products & Exploitation

Only important in the pet trade, the species is unsuitable for human consumption nor it can be used to make chum, due to its poisonous nature.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Open waters off the north coast of Gwebe and New louisiana, Hetherian Ocean

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Very good eyesight.

Symbiotic and Parasitic organisms

Afflicted by False tooth parasites on the display teeth.

Scientific Name

Eoichthyia; Tartarosomnia; Rotunducephalidae; Gladiopinneioidea; Quadratocephaloidea; Cinerichthydae; Aurorichthys; A. tenuimaxillae

Lifespan

4 Years

Conservation Status

Least Concern: No measures underway to protect this species.
Population trend: STABLE

Average Weight

10-50 gr

Average Length

up to 30 cm

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

sea foam to green-blue body colour, azure to blue head and backto the dorsal fin.
Blue to purple band along the boy, yellow Gill Fan.
Fins tipped azure to blue.