X-ray Eel

X-ray Eels are large pack hunters of the Pits, their defining characteristic being that they are mostly see-through, giving them a slight amount of camouflage against their surroundings. Their translucent bodies allow them to become difficult to spot against any background, except for the open waters above the sea floor. Their wide jaws also allow them to inflict larger wounds across their prey, able to kill more efficiently.

Basic Information

Anatomy

X-ray Eels have long slender bodies with elongated spines along the vertebrae, as well as a loose flowing tail. Their heads are large in proportion to their body, shaped like a spade, with large jaws and several flat spines along the back of the head. Through their skin they have a thin skeleton, as well as a visible digestive tract, heart, and brain. However, they appear to lack organs such as kidneys, intestines, or a complete system of nerves.

Genetics and Reproduction

X-ray Eels mate when they've left their birth school and begin traveling on their own in their adult life. When two lone eels meet each other and decide to mate, they engage in a courtship dance with each other. Both will swim in S patterns in place, over and over again, before interlocking their heads and mating. Their eggs are soft and gelatinous, and will be slightly few in numbers. These eels will scoop out mounds of the seabed with their jaws, and lay their eggs in there. In more rocky seabeds, they will simply have to be more careful to keep them out of sight.

Growth Rate & Stages

When these eels first hatch, they are short and pudgy in comparison to the adults, with bulbous heads and stubby tails. For their entire youths, the school will travel through their environment, hunting for food. Oftentimes, the young will be tasked with hiding while their parents attempt to make a kill, and only when they've reached their juvenile stages will they begin hunting small creatures for themselves. When the young reach adulthood, they are tasked with helping their parents during hunts, some often racing ahead to distract their target while the others hunt from behind. When their parents eventually die, they will all travel away, in order to find another individual to mate with.

Ecology and Habitats

The only place where these creatures are found is the Pits. They typically never reside in one place, and never manipulate their environment beyond rooting plants to use when hunting. They can commonly be found swimming above the underwater rivers in their environment, in order to search for some of their preferred prey items, as well as to stay away from other predators that may wish to harm them.

Dietary Needs and Habits

X-ray Eels typically prey on the giant Island Crabs, as well as Headless Turkey Monsters, due to being immune to their poison gel. When hunting, these creatures can rely on their see-through bodies to blend in with their surroundings. Oftentimes, one member of a school will grab a plant in their mouth, and carry it within the line of sight of an Island Crab. If they entice it into the less dense ocean water, the school will lash out and attempt to attack its underside.

Biological Cycle

Their organs, visible through their skin, will slightly dim with age. This feature is seemingly worthless, as these creatures cannot see the glow of themselves or other species, like most inhabitants of this realm.

Additional Information

Social Structure

This species commonly lives in schools that are comprised of two mates and their children. Schools are first formed when two specimens mate and raise their children to become adults, and when the young become mature, they are primarily tasked with engaging prey items they plan to hunt. A popular hunting strategy is for one member of the school to race ahead, and corner the victim when the rest of the school begins chasing it. Sometimes, one will carry a plant around with them, and hide among dense groups of plants. When the prey flees, the eel with the plant will attempt to chase it towards where the school is resting.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

These creatures do have eyes, which is where they gather the most information, but they are hardly noticeable on their bodies. They can also smell to some extent, but they cannot hear at all, which is their prime weak point.

Scientific Name

Aoratolaspis koinin

Lifespan

Unknown

Average Weight

165 lbs.

Average Length

12 ft.

Average Physique

Streamlined

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Black head, glowing orange organs

Geographic Distribution

• The Halocline Pits

Average Intelligence
High