Torpedo Fish
A novelty of the Grand Line, Torpedo Fish earned the moniker through their method of engaging with potential prey. Namely, these small carnivorous fish are able to swim at ridiculously high speeds for short periods of time, giving them the power to ram their hardened, dome-shaped heads into other sea-dwelling creatures(and ships) to deal significant damage. A school of Torpedo Fish will surround their prey and batter it with their heads from many angles until the creature stops moving, at which point they will begin to rip off chunks of flesh to devour. The scent of blood sends Torpedo Fish into a frenzy, causing them to become increasingly aggressive until their hunger is sated.
Built to Harm:
Torpedo Fish are covered in a layer of tough scales that protect against predators, as well as sharp dorsal and pectoral fins that are capable of cutting flesh. Even a grazing blow from one of these fish can fillet skin on contact. They are thought to use this adaptation to escape from predators that would eat them whole, slicing the insides of whatever hapless thing made that mistake. Their bones are supremely light and flexible, allowing for them to take great impacts without harming themselves. The Torpedo Fish's skull is fused with a modified scale, creating a thick and durable dome helmet over the entire front of the creature. They will use this feature as well as highly developed swimming muscles to slam headfirst into predators and prey, which can cause massive trauma on impact. A large school of them can quickly overwhelm even a Navy battleship or a Sea King in a short amount of time.Prize Catches:
Almost every part of a Torpedo Fish is considered to be highly valuable. Their scales and fins can be dried, cured, and integrated into armor or weapons. Their bendable bones are prized for being some of the most flexible and long lasting materials, used for a wide variety of delicate tools and components. Their meat is said to taste like bluefin tuna marinated in clarified butter and white wine. Many natives of the Grand Line have also been documented using their durable head-domes to cap projectile weapons.Willing Ammunition:
Along with their own schooling habits, Torpedo Fish have been reported teaming up with Sonic Rays to take down larger prey than they would normally go after. The fish will use their sticky tail pads to latch onto the undersides of the Rays, who will launch themselves into the air and glide above a target. The Rays will use their tails to signal the Torpedo Fish when to drop, allowing the weight of the falling fish to give force to a devastating plunging attack. The fish can use their fins to angle themselves before impact, further increasing their deadliness. This behavior has also been used on ships that pass by, with many being forced to create countermeasures to the combo so that they may conduct themselves in an area native to both species without fear of attacks.Basic Information
Anatomy
Torpedo Fish are shaped much like their namesake; with an almost unnaturally cylindrical body and long, narrow fins sharpened to a dangerous edge. They have large silvery scales covering their bodies that reflect blue and green light, making them harder to spot on the open ocean. These scales are incredibly light, flexible, and tough, which in addition to their other defensive features makes them hard targets for other predators to take. The heads of these fish are a fusion of a thickened skull and a modified scale, used to batter hostiles into submission or death by way of high speed ramming. Within their relatively small mouths they have three rows of sharp, conical teeth that are designed for shredding meat. Along their spine, from behind the dorsal fin to the leading edge of the tail Torpedo Fish also sport a specialized sticky pad that can cling to most surfaces. This allows them to cling onto larger creatures when they need to rest, or when they hunt with Sonic Rays.
Genetics and Reproduction
Little is known of the hows and whys of the Torpedo Fish's reproductive cycle, as the entire population seems to up and disappear from the world during that time.
Growth Rate & Stages
Newborn Torpedo Fish have not been observed in the wild. Juveniles can be seen with their new schools as early as September, starting off around 6-10 inches in length and increasing by the week. Torpedo Fish can grow up to 3ft. in length by the time they reach a year old, at which point they will cease growing and instead will develop even harder scales that fuse together to for an armored shell that reaches back to the beginning of the tail. This armor slows the fish, and the rare individuals that reach this stage in their lives are generally left behind by their younger counterparts, forcing them to migrate to the seafloor to try to find food they can catch. After a few days spent in this state the fish will finally become immobile from its own scales, and eventually starve to death.
Ecology and Habitats
Torpedo Fish inhabit the Grand Line, mostly in deep, warm waters subject to fast currents but preferring to stay within 100ft. of the surface.
Biological Cycle
Torpedo Fish will only spawn once in their lives, though none know where they go to do so or how. What is known is that a school of Torpedo Fish will be naturally prompted to find their spawning grounds around July, returning to their normal habitat by late September. This is further evidenced by the fact that Torpedo Fish attacks halt entirely during this time of year.
Additional Information
Social Structure
A typical Torpedo Fish school will number around 10, with some groups even exceeding 30 individuals at peak population. A single fish heads a school, directing the movements of its underlings telepathically. Through a process of elimination that can only be described as a battle royale, strong Torpedo Fish will fight each other, and from this carnage a leader will rise. That fish's colors will drastically change over the course of a few hours to reflect the individual's new social standing. This rapid biological shift also seems to develop a mild psionic ability in the new leader, which it uses to temporarily disable weak-minded or unaware targets and communicate with other Torpedo Fish. When two schools of Torpedo Fish meet, their leaders will politely kill one another in single combat for domination of both schools. This usually ends with a less injured individual from one of the schools killing the victor and usurping them.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Torpedo Fish are exclusively found in the Grand Line, migrating with the currents and occasionally occupying the coasts of some islands.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Torpedo Fish do not have very good eyesight, or any other senses for that matter, and tend to explore the world around them with their mouths rather than their sensory organs.
Lifespan
1 year
Average Weight
Anywhere between 5 and 20lbs.
Average Length
Ranging from 1in.-3ft. in length.
Body Tint, Colouring and Marking
The coloration of Torpedo Fish does not vary between individuals or even genders. The only exception to this rule lay with the one fish that becomes the leader of the school. That fish will develop a pattern of red, green, and yellow stripes along the sides of its body, possibly to allow others of its kind to better identify them. The criteria for becoming a leader appears to depend on aggressiveness, as males and females alike have been seen with this color pattern.
Geographic Distribution
