Kelp Log-Fish

Truncopiscis germenmimus lives only in the Union’s Kelp forest along the southern shores; its past areal was way bigger but has now gone extinct outside of this forest.
This amphibian is one of the last remnants of its family and is currently placed in the TWPP (Taurian Wildlife Protection Programme) list of critically endangered species.
Since the arrival of the colonists on the planet, the wild population of T. germenmimus declined rapidly as their natural habitat shrunk due to human activity.
T. germenmimus is an ambush predator: It borrows under the sandy seafloor and uses its sprout shaped aculei on its back to attract prey; once the prey is close by, the Log-Fish attacks and catches its prey with the two jaws under its head. During the night, however, this animal comes out of the sand in search of molluscs and shellfishes. T. germenmimus is one of the few creatures of the planet who can breathe without having to move the Gill fan to keep the water coming in. As of now, hunting this amphibian is strictly forbidden and transgressors will be sanctioned with a fine of over one hundred unions.

Basic Information

Anatomy

• Cranial and Dorsal armours thick and highly segmented.

• Dorsal armour extremely developed growing over the whole body and down to the base of the dorsal fin; presence of a ventral armour.

• Eyes on short and stubby stalks and Jaws arched and ventrally pointing; small stubby tuberculus on the ventral surface of the head;

• Pectoral fins ventrally pointed and elongated with a caudally extended membrane.

• Anal I and II fins very well developed and spear-shaped.

• Dorsal fin composed of three aculei and a semi-transparent membrane, very caudally moved, growing on the Gill tail and going down to the base of the Gill Fan.

• Fifty-eight aculei grow from the top of the dorsal armour with the exclusion of the first aculeus which grows directly from the post-temporal plate of the cranial armour.

• Gill fan with high ridges and steep caudal drop.

Genetics and Reproduction

Monogamous species.
Male and female will enter heat in late autumn.
Couples already established won't have to fight for mating rights.
Newly formed couples are created by young individuals after the male successfully forces himself upon her; first mating for a couple is always forced upon by the male.
Mating takes a couple of hours; the female will incubate the eggs inside the duct for three weeks; she will lay the eggs at the base of the giant Kelp that makes up the forest; the eggs are made to seem like Kelp seeds so to not attract unwanted attention.
The eggs will hatch in early spring and the spawn will have a herbivorous lifestyle for the first period of their lives.
Both parents in a couple remain together throughout the year, at a brief distance from one another.

Growth Rate & Stages

Ontogenesis not that marked in the species.
Young specimens will lack the distinctive row of aculei on the back and will have a more active swimming lifestyle.
Loss of natal aculeus at three months old, when they start forming the permanent aculei; the natal aculeus will be changed with these permanent ones.

Ecology and Habitats

Truncopiscis germenmimus can be found living a benthic lifestyle at 40 to 60 m deep, laying on the seafloor partially submerged in sand.
They need the cover of the Kelp forest and are not able to survive outside of it; They prefer the boreal waters of the south.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Young specimens are herbivorous and will feed on kelp leaves and smaller plants growing on the seafloor.
Once they have matured enough, they'll lose the ability to eat plantlife and begin to actively hunt small amphibians; once they are big enough, they'll start ambush hunting prey by attracting it with their dorsal aculei, reminiscent of small plant buds.
These animals are cannibalistic towards the young specimens attracted by the adult's lure, even the parents will eat their offspring.

Biological Cycle

A Truncopiscis germenmimus will reach sexual maturity at five months old and will undergo the diet change after the first year of life.
Due to the highly seasonal nature of their environment, these animals enter long periods of reduced activity during the winter.

Additional Information

Social Structure

These amphibians live in established couples.
While they are not too far apart from one another, they rarely move or interact with each other outside of the mating season.
They are known to enter the low activity period of the year close to each other; still unknown why.

Domestication

Found in several breeding programmes in captivity to contrast the decline the species has seen since the human colonization of the planet.
Illegally sold to private collectors who keep them in private aquariums.

Uses, Products & Exploitation

Not many uses for the animal outside of the illegal pet trade.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Union's Kelp forest, offshore the south eastern coasts of Zhem Makhreq, Eastern Nuwadi Ocean.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Good sight and echolocatory abilities; optimal sense of smell.

Symbiotic and Parasitic organisms

They live in symbiosis with the kelp forests; they aren't able to survive elsewhere.

Scientific Name

Enetodontia; Enetodontida; Paleostomatosoidea; Truncopiscidae ; Truncopiscis; T. germenmimus

Lifespan

10 to 15 years

Conservation Status

CRITICALLY ENDANGERED: Under protection by the Zhem Makhreq government.
Population trend: DECLINE

Average Weight

20 to 35 kg

Average Length

50 (male) , 80 cm (female)

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Bright green body color with brown armor.
Vivid green aculei on the back.
Pectoral and Anal I and II fins Greenish to cream coloured.
Jaws green.