Painted Krillnet

Esabrachyfilter pictadigitus is a large Cephalodiktinid Enetodontid amphibian found living in the Tropical Belt from Meadow Island to the north of Elder's Cape.
The animal takes its name from the vivid colouration, a result of its rich diet of Zoo-, Zoophyto- and Phytoplankton, which it harvests through the specialized tines of the three pairs of jaws, fitted with minuscule hair-like filaments used to capture said organisms.
To eat the animal opens wide the jaws to the sides, covering the biggest area possible and combing the water, it then closes the jaws towards the mouth, where the now very reduced tuberculus can absorb the nutrients.
Contrary to Ithmosid amphibians, the animal is extremely inefficient in its filtering, restricting the natural range of this family to tropical climates, where the waters are most abundant in nutrients, offsetting their inefficiency through the means of the number of nutrients available.
The territorial nature of these animals in relation to ithmosid amphibians means they overpower the mostly harmless filter feeders, driving them away from their territories and avoiding being overwhelmed by the otherwise more efficient group.
The animal always travels in pairs with eventual offspring, young individuals can be found alone if they never mated before, otherwise the couple, once formed, will never break up.
This large amphibian was once hunted for food but is now protected as an endangered species, an act that came into place as a precautionary measure before the situation escalated to a critical extent, saving the animal from becoming extinct due to overfishing.
Poaching of the species remains a problem, however, the situation is somewhat under control, with stricter laws in place against anyone caught illegally hunting the animal.

Basic Information

Anatomy

• Cranial armor elongated with serrated edges on the dorsal area.

• Three pairs of jaws with very elongated tines, covered in thin hair-like structures.

• Tuberculus very small and stubby, no visible orifice.

• Dorsal armor vestigial, five segmentations.

• Pinneal thumb present, Dorsal fin leaf shaped.

• Pectoral fins very large and horizontally orientated, slightly downpointing to the ventral level.

• Anal fin veiled.

• Nine pseudodigits jetting out from the dorsum, near the base of the Gill Tail.

• Gill Tail thinner than the body, ending in a low Gill fan with a soft caudal drop, tail continues shortly after the end of the Gill Fan.

Genetics and Reproduction

Mandatory Monogamous species.
The animal mates in Spring, when the Purple Zagatea algae bloom.
E. pictadigitus will mate in pre-existing couples that are formed over many years of life.
Young males impress the female by leading her to richer grounds to feed upon, once the female has been led to the desired location, the male will start dancing in the water, showing off its most vivid colours and intricate moves; if the female is impressed enough from the male's display, she'll turn belly side up, rubbing against the male by swimming head down; once the couple is formed, they never break up.
The mating of the species is peculiar in the family, with the male embracing the mate with the six jaws, maintaining a strong grip on her while keeping her afloat by flapping the big pectoral fins.
The female incubates the egg in the duct for six months before giving live birth to one to three cubs, which will follow the parents for approximately two years before leaving to find their own territory.

Growth Rate & Stages

Ontogeny in the species quite marked.
Young specimens grow the distal tines of the jaws quicker than the proximal, extending the affecting range of the filtration net to the maximum extent possible.
Cubs and immature specimens are born bluish-grey, slowly gaining colour as they feed (weak and starving individuals also reverse to their natural colouration).
Loss of natal aculeus while inside the duct; natal aculeus in the species severely reduced in size.

Ecology and Habitats

Epipelagic animal found at depths between 3 and 100 m.
Needs large open spaces in tropical waters with abundant nutrients to capture and plenty of sunlight.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Filter feeding organisms that pass the majority of the day combing the waters they live in for nutrients.
To feed the species goes back and forth in the same cubic space they are currently harvesting, once a height layer is done, they switch to a lower one they didn't comb yet; once the combing is finished, they move an adjacent sector of the ocean to do the same; how they can delineate their territory in such a precise way is still unknown.

Biological Cycle

Periannial species active all year long due to the stable climate in the tropics.

Additional Information

Social Structure

The species lives in couples with young offspring, if in season.
Not very social physically but communicates through sound and rhythmic vibrations of the anal fin.

Domestication

Impossible to keep in captivity due to the high space and food requirements of the species.

Uses, Products & Exploitation

Of once great economic importance in the food industry.
Poaching of the species is still a problem, bones and fat can be found on the black market for various medical uses, all of which scientifically debunked as false.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Most numerous from north of the Elder's Cape to Meadow Island but can be found elsewhere in the Tropical belt.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Good eyesight, through the use of the hair-like filaments in the jaws, it can perceive vibrations in water to sense amphibians even at moderate distances.

Symbiotic and Parasitic organisms

Afflicted by Drinker worms, encrusting invertebrates and intra-ocular parasites.
In a symbiotic relationship with smaller amphibians and cnidarovertebrates that clean off its skin in exchange for protection from predators.

Scientific Name

Enetodontia; Enetodontida; Paleostomatosoidea; Tubercolostomatosoidea; Cephalodiktinidae ; Esabrachyfilter; E. pictadigitus

Lifespan

150 Years (approximate)

Conservation Status

Vulnerable: Once classified as Endangered, the species is now recovering; strict laws in place to protect the species
Population Trend: RECOVERING

Average Weight

800-1500 kg

Average Length

6.0 m (male) , 6.3 m (female)

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Natural colouring Bluish-grey throughout the body.
Average colouration from bright red to pink along the dorsal section of the body, yellow to orange in the belly and jaws.
bright blue to azure ring around the eye, azure markings on the dorsal section of the armor and along the body.
Pinneal thumb and pseudodigits coloured with a gradient from azure to blue going towards the distal end.