Murky Kapanyiju

Planiventrostomus kanyagarii is an Elephantotubercolatine Paleostomatosoid Amphibian from Najeete.
The species is most often found living in the littoral to low depth zone, resting among the aerial roots or along the muddy banks of the fjords.
It camouflages with the sediment in which it lies, closing all its fins to be more inconspicuous, sometimes partially burrowing in it to be even less visible to predators.
P. Kanyagarii hunts mostly by ambushing prey such as Fire Tagumis, striking from below. Contrary to most other Tubercolostomatose amphibians, the animal doesn't secure a good grip on prey but quickly penetrates the skin with the tuberculus and injects the gastric fluid, allowing prey go and catching up on it by following the chemical trail it releases.
This way it saves energy while hunting and avoids possible dangers like being exposed to the Tagumi's venomous spit.
The animal will remain still for hours at a time, occasionally swimming from an area to the next to change hunting grounds.
Of all the animals found deeper in the Najeete's marshes, this is perhaps one of the most well studied, given how it can be found living even at the entrance of the Fjords, where it's still relatively easy to navigate.
The amphibian can be found on the market to keep as a pet and in local villages inside its range it's sold as food, even though the meat is stringy and unsavoury.

Basic Information

Anatomy

• Head long and low, tuberculus moderately short in rest position, growing from the frontal section of the head.

• Body low and long, belly flat.

• Pectoral fins large and subtriangular, horizontally positioned to the body.

• Dorsal fin subrectangular and veiled.

• Anal I fins smaller.

• Anal II fins vestigial and only visible osteologically.

• Gill Tail very long, extending well beyond the Gill Fan.

• Gill Fan small and low, with a soft caudal drop.

• Gill Tail ending in a small rectangular shape, used to trick predators into thinking that's the actual Gill Fan.

Skull Diagram:

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Genetics and Reproduction

Seasonally monogamous species.
The species mates four times a year, every mating season they'll change partner.
Males will start building their nests a few weeks prior to the beginning of the mating season, using branches, rocks and other small objects to decorate.
A typical nest is round in shape, the small branches are planet into the ground pointing up, mimicking the structure of the aerial roots that make up their native habitat, the small rocks and pebbles are distributed around the nest at the base of the branches, creating a bigger circular motif around the latter while in the centre of the circle the biggest pebble is laid which will act as the ground on which eggs will be laid.
To move such objects they'll often use the tuberculus to roll them around or carry them, if small enough.
Females coming in to check on the nests will carefully manoeuvre around them so as to not break anything judging the order of the composition and, most importantly, testing the centre-pebble as to see if it's big enough to house her offspring.
If the female's convinced, she'll lay on top of the centre-pebble, closing all the fins except for the pectoral ones, which will remain wide open as to signal the male she's ready.
The eggs are incubated in the duct for three days before being laid on the centre-pebble; the parents will then demolish the branch crown and lay the sticks on top of the eggs, as to protect them, using the small pebbles on the outside of the former crown to keep them in place.
After ten to thirteen days the eggs hatch and the parents will start removing the branches to allow the young to come out.
The male will nurse the hatchlings alongside the female for the first few weeks before leaving the couple and forfeiting possession over the nesting site to the female.

Growth Rate & Stages

Ontogenesis on the species not exceptionally visible.
Young specimens have larger anal fins and a smaller and rounder dorsal.
Loss of natal aculeus seven weeks from birth, possibly suggesting in the future it may retain it to adulthood.

Ecology and Habitats

Freshwater species found at low depths in the Najeete's marshes, more specifically from the littoral to the low depth zone, with a depth maximum of 5 m.
Found living amongst the aerial roots of plants or in muddy sediments in areas with low water currents.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Ambush predator that spends most of its time laying down on the muddy sediment, partially covered in it, waiting for prey to pass by.
It will hunt anything from small cnidarovertebrates to amphibians such as the Fire Tagumi.

Biological Cycle

Periannial species with no major dips in activity year-long.

Additional Information

Social Structure

The species is not particularly social in nature but will tolerate conspecifics in its hunting grounds.

Domestication

Kept in private aquariums as a novelty animal due to the shape and exotic origin.
Recommended to intermediate to experienced owners due to it only accepting live prey and the high maintenance cost due to the stenotherm nature of the animal.

Uses, Products & Exploitation

Mostly known in the pet trade, the species is otherwise of little economic interest globally.
Inside its natural range the species is consumed by local populations, although the meat is stringy and unsavoury.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Found living in the littoral to low depth zone of the Najeete's marshes, this species in particular is found mostly at the mouth of the northern marshes.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Good eyesight, Hearing and Chemioreceptory capabilities.

Symbiotic and Parasitic organisms

Afflicted by several skin parasites.
Uncommonly seen with fin-eating invertebrates parasitosis.

Scientific Name

Enetodontia; Enetodontida; Paleostomatosoidea; Gymnocephalidae ; Elephantotubercolatinae; Planiventrostomus; P. Kanyagarii

Lifespan

13 Years

Conservation Status

Least Concern: Only recently classified as such, no protection laws on the species as of the time of writing
Population Trend: UNKNOWN

Average Weight

400 gr to 3.5 kg

Average Length

50 cm (male) , 70 cm (female)

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Mud to greenish-brown body, lighter belly, pectoral and Anal fins.
Body striped in a yellowish tint, lighter dotting on the side of head and body.
Dorsal fin progressively darker near the edges.
Dark brown striping along the dorsal fin's body.