Anguil (/ˈæŋ.ɡwɪl))

anguil-stormy nights light the way to dawn

Anguil are eel-like creatures that create lightning storms in their territorial battles. They command the storms around the world of Wormsea. While lightning does not usually pose danger to creatures of the sea, anything that gets too close to the surface during one of these fights will meet an untimely end. They use electroreceptors as their primary sense as parasites slowly turn their eyes cloudy white.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Anguil are long, slender fishes with slimy scales and thin fins that go down the length of its body on the anterior and posterior sides.
Colors vary, but most have ringed stripes. Other color variations include solid colors and dotted lines that run down the sides of their bodies.
They have pharyngeal jaws that extend forward to swallow and then crush prey. Their teeth are sharp and needle-like.
Because sight is not their primary source of sensory stimulation, their eyes are small and often clouded with parasites that hang onto them and slowly blind the anguil. Instead of sight, they rely on electroreceptors and can generate electricity with their bodies, enough to cause lightning storms in the open ocean.

Genetics and Reproduction

Anguil life cycles starts with eggs which are laid in large clutches inside the coral burrows that they call home. The eggs are fertilized at birth, but are responsive to a specific electrical signal generated by the anguil when the time is right.
Freshly hatched anguil are no larger than a centimeter long and are translucent. Anguil parents protect their young by allowing them to sit inside their mouth, away from the pharyngeal jaws. The babies feed on leftovers caught in the parent's teeth, in their outer and extra jaws. Because they are small, many anguil babies are consumed by the parent as well, and only a few manage to grow large enough to leave and hunt on their own.

Ecology and Habitats

Anguil live in the caves and cubbies of coral reefs. Despite their length, they can fit inside very small spaces by coiling up tightly and leaving only their eye stalks peeping out. When other smaller fish have abandoned their homes, it is possible anguil will take the opportunity to reuse them even if they would appear too small.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Anguil are predators, and they are not picky about which fish they consume. If they are unable to consume fish, they can use their needle-like teeth to filterfeed and catch small shrimp.

Behaviour

Anguil fights wreck havoc on the ocean in the form of lightning storms. Lightning rarely strikes the open ocean save for when these creatures are battling over mates or territory. Clouds follow their undulating shadows in the deep. Each anguil swims close to the surface and hopes to strike the other down. These fierce territorial battles have cemented the anguil as a symbol of power over the elements.

Additional Information

Social Structure

Anguil live a solitary life and only rarely interact with members of their own species once fully grown. If two anguil are using the same electronic frequency to hunt when they come in contact, they will each shift their frequency to prevent jamming the other's signal unless the would-be jammer. If they detect each other by sight or outside of hunting, they can become aggressive.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Anguil use electrical receptors in their bodies to detect electrical impulses. Because Tanuli and other creatures use charged calcium ions in order to move their muscles, anguil are able to able to detect very minute movements and can react at a moment's notice.

Symbiotic and Parasitic organisms

Anguil eye parasites consume the jelly inside anguil eyes. These parasites respond to electricity as well, so the anguil don't lose any ability to detect objects in their environment.

Average Weight

50-60 kg

Average Length

6 m

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Stripes, solid color, small dots