Petrazoan

A small pudgy fish that crawls on the seafloor with its six spindly legs. These creatures are known for being able to attach rocks to their body with sticky tethers that dart out from underneath the skin, and hold the rocks in place. These pseudo-limbs can come out of nearly part of the creature's body, except for its underside, which is constantly dragged over the ground.

Basic Information

Anatomy

The Petrazoan is a large pudgy fish with soft scaly skin, extremely small fins, a large mouth hiding a creeping tongue, and of course, legs. The creature's arthropod-esque legs are attached to the front of the creature, and are strong enough to drag its heavy body over the ground. This creature's skin also contains limp pseudo limbs that can stick to any surface, and it uses them to attach rocks to its body to protect as much of its soft skin as possible. 

Biological Traits

Most males are noticeably large than the females, handy for when they have to brawl with each other to have a chance at mating.

Genetics and Reproduction

At a certain time in the year, large groups of Petrazoans will gather in an isolated area, able to find each other through the tracks they leave in the sand. Males will headbutt each other in an attempt to win over a mate, both able to guard and deal damage with the rocks on their bodies. Their eggs are laid in large quantities, and have the same pseudo-limbs that the adults have, able to latch onto nearby foliage to conceal themselves. After the eggs have been laid, the Petrazoans will soon leave the scene in order to replenish themselves.

Growth Rate & Stages

Petrazoans will burst out of their eggs all at once, absorbing the pseudo-limbs from the egg, and rushing to get to a safe area. They start out being able to swim, but as they grow their bodies will become too heavy to sustain, and they'll have to use their legs to crawl around on the seafloor. From there they'll practice using their pseudo limbs to grab small rocks to cover themselves with, and after reaching adulthood, their lives stay relatively the same.

Ecology and Habitats

These creatures live in the Forests of the Nightlight Zone, and spend almost their entire lives on the seabed. Their tracks are found nearly everywhere, suggesting they can live equally in sparse open regions and dense pockets of kelp and other plant life. Sometimes they'll make a habit of replacing the rocks on their bodies if one gets too worn down to be practical.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Despite their rather beastly appearance, these fish only feed on the Coiled Ferns and Seaweed Clusters that litter the sea floor. They can use their flexible tongues to reach food that they can't from their position, and pull it closer to their large mouths. They also have an added benefit of being able to withstand the Coiled Fern's tendencies to throw hardened seeds at threats.

Biological Cycle

Over time, barnacles, algae, and other small plants can grow in between the rocks on a Petrazoan, especially if the rock already has plants on it when the creature picks it up. Some rocks can also become worn down or break from withstanding damage.

Additional Information

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Petrazoan eyes are very weak, forcing them to rely on their touch and hearing to get around. Their sense of smell, however, is more developed than their other senses.

Scientific Name

Triglidae ambula

Lifespan

Unknown

Average Weight

310 lbs.

Average Length

3.5 ft.

Average Physique

Chunky

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Black skin, dark brown fins

Geographic Distribution

• The Kelp Forests

Average Intelligence
Low