Kormozoan

The Kormozoan is a long slender creature that is able to swim extremely fast. They are very social with one another, and display a strange ability to swim upside down and backwards, sometimes at the same time. They also have a long proboscis which they can launch at extreme speeds to counteract a predator's attacks, while also confusing them with their rapid changes in orientation. Their downside is that their physical durability is rather low.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Kormozoans have slender, vaguely fish-like bodies with stalked eyes, and a tough beak hiding their proboscis. They have large pectoral fins, taking up one third of their body length, and able to give large bursts of speed to propel them backwards. Their tailfins only grow on the undersides of their tails.

Genetics and Reproduction

When two Kormozoans meet up, they may engage with each other in order to mate. They perform special rituals with each other that involve swimming in every direction possible and interlocking their proboscises, going in aimless circle patterns over and over again. It is thought that they form a bond by doing this, and make sure that their partner will be worthy to take care of the young with. They lay their eggs in crevices in large rocks, and are always protected by one of the parents.

Growth Rate & Stages

One parent will guard the eggs at all times, while the other gathers food and brings it back to the nest for them both to feed on, then they routinely switch roles. When the young hatch, they'll spend all of their youth by their parent's side, teaching themselves to swim upside down and backwards. Their proboscises will grow almost as long as their body when they eventually grow to become adults, and they can either stay with their family or go off to live on their own. Those that leave will often be by themselves for a long time afterward.

Ecology and Habitats

These fish mainly swim around in the open waters above the Fields, but rarely interact with the environment below them, besides picking up rocks with their proboscises to protect their nests with. They are largely at risk of getting blown away by the strong currents of their habitat.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Kormozoans will eat Polyweed and Sarkaphytes, usually with equal interest. With their fast-moving proboscises, they can effectively catch the tips of Polyweeds in their places, evading damage from the spikes and ripping the leaves right off their stem. With the Sarkaphytes, these creatures will rub against the ground to bait the plant, then swim in a wide circle and target their proboscis just below the petals. With enough twisting, Kormozoans can break the Sarkaphyte mouths from the stems, killing the plant. These creatures will also fiercely defend their meals from any other species attempting to get their share, striking their enemy's vulnerable areas with their proboscises.

Additional Information

Social Structure

Kormozoans have been known to share food with one another, as well as help each other gather food and defend themselves against predators. If two mate, then they will stay together for the rest of their lives. Pairs that haven't mated will also stick close to each other if they feel it necessary.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

These creatures have powerful eyesight, which is thought to be due to their eyes being stalked. However, their stalked eyes also require them to swim upside down to see threats from below. They also have fairly well-developed senses of smell and hearing, used to a lesser extent.

Scientific Name

Tullimonstrum kormos

Lifespan

Unknown

Average Weight

670 lbs

Average Length

8.2 ft.

Average Physique

Slender

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Light blue skin, brown-grey beak

Geographic Distribution

• The Ash Fields

Average Intelligence
Fairly high