Ikarau
Ikarau are amphibious, gliding fish native to the forests of Nahele'opua in western Okaluan. Ikarau grow to 18 inches in length with dark purple and green mottled skin. They feed mainly on the insects and crustaceans that live in the bubbling muddy waters among the roots of the Ko trees. They swim in the water over short distances, but to travel longer distances, the ikarau climb the trunks of the ko trees using sharp hooks on the front of their pectoral fins and underneath their mouths. When they reach sufficient height, they launch into the air and spread their large, wing-like pectoral fins to glide through the forest, adjusting their trajectory with their tail fins.
Ikarau live in schools of 20 to 30 individuals. They lay their eggs in clusters on the inner roots of the ko tree. These eggs are considered a delicacy to the tua. The adult ikarau are a staple of the Tua diet. The Tua also trade the ikarau and their eggs among other resources harvested from the forests with the western Talani'i clans in exchange for obsidian, net bags and baubles.
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