Lobe-fin Fish

These fish appeared during the Angiosperm reovlution. They are a filter feeding pond fish that evolved from the Spiny Rainbow Turtle. These turtles evolved to be more and more aquatic losing much of what thier terrestrial ancestors had spent so long developing. These fish have hand-like fins they use to propel themselves in the water and use a keratin balleen filter to suck algae, plankton, and other small organisms out of the water. These fish are excellent filter feeders.

Alternative Names

Drunken Flatfish
Clumsy Catfish
Dancing Lobefish
Blind Lobefish

Basic Information

Anatomy

Thick Leathery hide. These eyeless fish swim along using thier acute sense of smell from thier skin to detect high densities of filter foods. They often swim slowly in broad sweeps using hand-like fins. They have a large ridged fin on thier back that displays a similar iradascent pattern to the shells of thier ancesters, the Spiny Rainbow Turtle

Genetics and Reproduction

These fish lay leathery eggs that they store in the muck of ponds, marshes and streams. These eggs will hatch normally in the ponds and streams. If the ponds and streams enter the dry season these eggs can last up to 6 months before hatching, waiting for the return of the water

Ecology and Habitats

marshes, ponds, and streams

Dietary Needs and Habits

Herbivorous

Behaviour

These fish have developed communication through large air sacs in thier head. These sacs allow for large prolonged notes to be projected through the water. Different tones can indicate various things to other lobefish. Common signals are for danger, mating, herding, and greeting

Additional Information

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

They have no eyes but use an acute sense of smell within the water to navigate towards food sources. Due to thier lack of sight they often will bump into things in the water giving them an almost clumsy and drunken appearance

Genetic Ancestor(s)

• Spiny Rainbow Turtle

Genetic Descendants

• Baleen Seal
• Lobe-finned Whale

Lifespan

75 Years

Average Length

Largest Known 3 Meters