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Description
Note: these species are no longer cannon with the Isla project

Introducing the first fish of the Isla project!

Rifle fish are a small clade of aquatic fauna, native to shallow waters along the coast. These species scour the ocean floor in search of tiny, shelled invertebrates. Such prey has a hardened calcified outside which makes them hard to digest, so riflefish have evolved a unique means of consuming these creatures. They have developed a specialized proboscis which is actually on offshoot of the stomach. When feeding, riflefish suck their prey into this secondary stomach where it is broken down using special enzymes. The fish then shoots the contents into its mouth where it will go on to digest them fully. This process minimizes the amount of energy the fish must use to digest the small calcified microfauna. These proboscis organs can also be used for increased mobility. Riflefish are not particularly fast, however when threatened they can use this extended organ to push off the sea floor and give themselves a boost of speed.

Riflefish have eyes on each side of their body: one pair on their anterior end above their proboscis and gonads, which are typically small and used to scan the ocean floor. A second pair are located at the far posterior end of their body toward the end of their fin, which are used for navigation and looking out for predators. The majority of their organs are located in the fish's abdomen. This part of their body is heavily protected with multiple areas of hard plating, which are resistant to puncture.

The Midnight Riflefish is the most common species of this clade, as well as the largest (reaching approx. 1m when fully grown). This species typically live their lives in small groups of five or six, and are found in deeper areas of Isla's sand plains, often around 15-20m deep.

The Sand Riflefish, is a solitary species found in areas where far less light can reach: deeper waters south of the terminator region. This species anterior eyes have grown in size and have become more reflective, located just above its proboscis. These adaptations allow it to take in as much light as possible when gazing down at the ocean floor. This species generally reaches 55cm in length.

The Raspberry Riflefish is the smallest of the clade, measuring no more then 20cm. This species inhabits Isla's northern reefs and can often be found taking shelter within rocks or coral. This organism has become specially sensitive to vibrations in its environment, evolving a second pair of feelers on its posterior end, as well as a fan of sensitive hairs on its anterior.

Questions and comments are welcome!

Description
Note: these species are no longer cannon with the Isla project

Introducing the first fish of the Isla project!

Rifle fish are a small clade of aquatic fauna, native to shallow waters along the coast. These species scour the ocean floor in search of tiny, shelled invertebrates. Such prey has a hardened calcified outside which makes them hard to digest, so riflefish have evolved a unique means of consuming these creatures. They have developed a specialized proboscis which is actually on offshoot of the stomach. When feeding, riflefish suck their prey into this secondary stomach where it is broken down using special enzymes. The fish then shoots the contents into its mouth where it will go on to digest them fully. This process minimizes the amount of energy the fish must use to digest the small calcified microfauna. These proboscis organs can also be used for increased mobility. Riflefish are not particularly fast, however when threatened they can use this extended organ to push off the sea floor and give themselves a boost of speed.

Riflefish have eyes on each side of their body: one pair on their anterior end above their proboscis and gonads, which are typically small and used to scan the ocean floor. A second pair are located at the far posterior end of their body toward the end of their fin, which are used for navigation and looking out for predators. The majority of their organs are located in the fish's abdomen. This part of their body is heavily protected with multiple areas of hard plating, which are resistant to puncture.

The Midnight Riflefish is the most common species of this clade, as well as the largest (reaching approx. 1m when fully grown). This species typically live their lives in small groups of five or six, and are found in deeper areas of Isla's sand plains, often around 15-20m deep.

The Sand Riflefish, is a solitary species found in areas where far less light can reach: deeper waters south of the terminator region. This species anterior eyes have grown in size and have become more reflective, located just above its proboscis. These adaptations allow it to take in as much light as possible when gazing down at the ocean floor. This species generally reaches 55cm in length.

The Raspberry Riflefish is the smallest of the clade, measuring no more then 20cm. This species inhabits Isla's northern reefs and can often be found taking shelter within rocks or coral. This organism has become specially sensitive to vibrations in its environment, evolving a second pair of feelers on its posterior end, as well as a fan of sensitive hairs on its anterior.

Questions and comments are welcome!