Beak Tuna

The Beak Tuna is a semi-large fish largely found in small social gatherings. They are known for their long beaks, used both to playfully bite each other, as well as to defend themselves against threats. They are also fast swimmers, while showing slight reckless tendencies when escaping threats to their survival.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Beak Tuna have long slender bodies with a large compact head, sporting a long beak. Their fins are large in comparison to their bodies, with their dorsal fins taking up most of their backsides, and their tailfins growing to half of their body length. They also have large eyes glowing a bright white.

Biological Traits

Male Beak Tuna have slightly more serrated fins, a slightly longer beak, and more vibrant colors on their scales. Most of these features are used for display purposes, thought it is uncertain how useful color would be in a low-light environment.

Genetics and Reproduction

At a certain time in the year, these creatures will gather together in a large group, and compete for the right to mate. The males will show off their serrated fins in the hopes of winning over a female, and will attempt to mate as many times as he can. Their eggs are laid in large batches, and are mostly half-buried in the sand. After these hard-shelled eggs are laid, every individual will leave the scene, and leave the young to fend for themselves. A small portion of the eggs may not survive for long, usually from getting eaten by passing predators.

Growth Rate & Stages

Beak Tuna start out small, but retain roughly the same body shape as the adults. Newborns are skittish, and stick close together in order to have a better chance at survival. As they grow, their fins will grow larger, and the tuna will be able to swim much faster than they could before. Then, once they reach adulthood, they may choose to live by themselves, confident they can survive exposing themselves out in the open. Some newborn tuna have been observed swimming near hydrothermal vents, whereas most other creatures will avoid them due to the toxic clouds they spew.

Ecology and Habitats

These fish inhabit the Plains, and swim several feet above the seabed, only ever coming down to search for food. They almost never fully touch the seabed, unless they are deceased. Beak Tuna can usually be found in groups, and sometimes large numbers of them will be found near hydrothermal vents in the ground. It is thought as younglings they are fully immune to the toxic chemicals produced by the vents, but this immunity wanes over time. Perhaps in adulthood, they can only briefly be in direct contact with the chemicals, but for just enough time for predators to leave them alone.

Dietary Needs and Habits

These creatures will eat the toxic leaf clusters off of Sea Bushes. Usually, they will only ever relax when there are other Beak Tuna around as they feed, as they have less of a chance of getting eaten themselves when a predator could simply chase after the other fish in the group. Beak Tuna will also scoop up patches of algae with their long beaks.

Biological Cycle

Beak Tuna shed constantly, with their scales piling up on the sandy floor various places. Large piles of the scales can be found near nesting sights after breeding season, which help in concealing the eggs after the breeding competitions.

Additional Information

Social Structure

While Beak Tuna often gather in large groupings with one another, they seem to form these groups for no more than protection and reproduction, with little structure to these gatherings. Conflicts with between individuals rarely break out, presumably because there is no social hierarchy. However, these fish do communicate to some extent. Fast swimming motions are usually taken as a sign of distress or worry, most often red flags that danger is approaching. Thus, other fish will follow suite in seconds unless they cannot see danger anywhere.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Beak Tuna mainly rely on sight to get around, with occasional use of hearing and smell. It has been thought they also use their long beaks for sensing the environment, perhaps sifting through the sand for algae, but this has not been confirmed.

Scientific Name

Thunnini rostro

Lifespan

Unknown

Average Weight

260 lbs

Average Length

4.6 ft.

Average Physique

Slender

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Blue skin, blue-grey fins, glowing white eyes

Geographic Distribution

• The Sand Plains

Average Intelligence
Very Low