Tiufi

The Tiufi are a carnivorous species that dwell in the Deep Ocean Caverns near the Tridon tribes. They are migratory, territorial, and hunt Tridon, Merfolk, and any other deep ocean creature that crosses their path. Tiufi are usually 6-9 feet long. They have distinctively long, almost gaunt faces with two black bug-like eyes. They have three rows of teeth. Their jaws are stretchy ligaments that allow their mouths to grasp things more than twice their size. This is particularly important if the prey swells up from the Tiufi tentacle toxins.

Juvenile Tiufi

Juvenille Tiufi are easily identifiable by the unique tentacle located above their eye sockets.  The tentacle will slowly shifts back along it's spine until it rests just in front of the front dorsal fin. This tentacle releases a paralyzing toxin and is also used to attract potential mates Stonefish are the most common cause of death for Juvenile Tiufi. They do not actively hunt them, but because they are territorial and cover many of the same areas, clashes occur. The bumpy texture of their skin blends in to the stony terrain, and the young Tiufi (whose senses are still developing) often bump into one of their 13 poison sacs.

Migration Patterns

Tiufi are a migratory species. They spend half of the year in the Deep Ocean Caverns, where food is plentiful. Their tough exoskeletons protect them from the ocean pressure and provide a natural defense against inevitable environmental hazards, like the rupturing of the cavern vents. They spend the other half of the year mating by the western caves in the Azure Sea. This region has particularly spiky edges where female Tiufi lay their eggs. They stay in this area for several months while the juvenile Tiufi develop their exoskeleton needed to withstand the pressure of the deep ocean. The trek between the two regions usually takes 4-6 weeks. Tiufi make their first trip at age 5. Mothers will stay with their young the first three years. After that, they are expected to show their strength by surviving the deep ocean without assistance.

Mating Tiufi

Shortly after arriving to the mating ground, the male Tiufi fight each other as a show of strength to court female Tiufi. Most male Tiufi will establish a harem of 5-7 females in a mating season. Once a female chooses to be in the harem, the male impregnates the female. The female Tiufi will then lay an average of 7 fertilized eggs in the spiky cave walls, protected from some egg-snatching fish that populate the ocean floor. The eggs have a 45 days incubation period. If a male takes over another male's harem, he will cannibalize the young after they've hatched.

Venom symptoms

A creature stung by the Tiufi's dorsal tentacle will experience the following symptoms: muscle paralysis, severe breathing difficulties, a drop in blood pressure, and muscle swelling.

Common Causes of Death

Adult Tiufi do not have any natural predators. They are often infected by parasites found in the deep ocean vents. Once they enter old age, they are often devoured by younger, healthier Tiufi who use this as an opportunity to establish dominance within the community.

Prey

Tiufi eat a wide variety of prey - some have more than 6 different species in their stomach at a time. Triton use pack tactics to hunt. A group of 3-5 Tiufi will surround their prey and use their long whip-like trails to trap their pray in an area and wear them down to exhaustion. Once their prey looks to be wearing down, they will sting their prey with a paralyzing venom. The swarm will lunge for the food, extending their jaws fully open, revealing three rows of spiky teeth. They will often bite each other in their fervor, relying on the exoskeleton for protection. Much like a snake, Tiufi usually swallow their prey whole.

Tridons and Tiufi

Tridon reference Tiufi often in fables and fairytales. They play a small role in the [Gadallatha myth about the Trident of the Deep. Tridon try to avoid the Tiufi territories and cautiously enter the area only when most of them have migrated to western caves of the Azure Sea. Toy Tiufi are a common item given to young children and are often the villains in their games.

A Harem of Tiufi

Average Lifespan 55 years
Lifestyle migratory
Region Deep Ocean Caverns and the Western Caves of the Azure Sea

length

6-9 feet long

Stonefish