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Description
Ciclokika scutulae is a species of Philloichthyd Hijerakid Ichthyomorph from the Columnar sponge forests of the southern Kimbawan continent.

Ciclokika is part of the so-called stub-nosed Kikas, an informal subgroup inside the Kikinae subfamily.

The most striking feature of the genus Ciclokika, and the closely related Gigakika, is the round and flattened body, very unusual for the otherwise more hydrodynamic shape of the clade.

Like many other Ichthyomorphs living in similar habitats, the flat body of the Ciclokika is an adaptation that allows it to manoeuvre better in the tightly packed forests of massive sponge type Osteophytes, trading speed to fit in the thinnest of cracks between the vegetation.

Ciclokika scutulae live in the upper section of the forest, where the sponge osteophytes grow their pollination canals.

The remarkably long palatine tongue of Ciclokika makes the animal perfectly adapted for pollinating the long-canaled osteophytes of its range.

Like almost every Kika, the species co-evolved alongside the vegetation it lives among, making them the preferred pollinators for specific osteophyte genera.

Another characteristic feature of Ciclokika scutulae, that makes it particularly recognizable, is the size of the second anal fins, which match in size with the first pair, characteristic only seen in a minority of species inside the family.

Although relatively popular in public aquariums, its size makes it hard to keep for private owners.

The species doesn't require a lot of living space, as they inhabit areas with inherently little open waters, but will require the tank to be properly equipped with the right type of environment, as open spaces will leave the animal feeling stressed and vulnerable to attacks.

Particularly famous is the Cholassia aquarium, which has the largest Columnar reef tank in the world, featuring 105 different species of reef inhabiting organisms between Ichthyomorphs, Pleuropods and Abranchiates.

The tank's columnar osteophytes are naturally pollinated by the likes of 3 different species of Kikinae Ichthyomorphs, among which there's Ciclokika scutulae.

The tank is two stories tall and is divided into two sections, the upper reef one, where C. scutulae can be observed pollinating the top of the osteophytes, and the lower section, where low-growth osteophytes dominate the undergrowth.

The Cholassia reef tank is the deepest artificial columnar osteophyte reef, with the tallest osteophyte measuring 12 m tall from the base.

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Description
Ciclokika scutulae is a species of Philloichthyd Hijerakid Ichthyomorph from the Columnar sponge forests of the southern Kimbawan continent.

Ciclokika is part of the so-called stub-nosed Kikas, an informal subgroup inside the Kikinae subfamily.

The most striking feature of the genus Ciclokika, and the closely related Gigakika, is the round and flattened body, very unusual for the otherwise more hydrodynamic shape of the clade.

Like many other Ichthyomorphs living in similar habitats, the flat body of the Ciclokika is an adaptation that allows it to manoeuvre better in the tightly packed forests of massive sponge type Osteophytes, trading speed to fit in the thinnest of cracks between the vegetation.

Ciclokika scutulae live in the upper section of the forest, where the sponge osteophytes grow their pollination canals.

The remarkably long palatine tongue of Ciclokika makes the animal perfectly adapted for pollinating the long-canaled osteophytes of its range.

Like almost every Kika, the species co-evolved alongside the vegetation it lives among, making them the preferred pollinators for specific osteophyte genera.

Another characteristic feature of Ciclokika scutulae, that makes it particularly recognizable, is the size of the second anal fins, which match in size with the first pair, characteristic only seen in a minority of species inside the family.

Although relatively popular in public aquariums, its size makes it hard to keep for private owners.

The species doesn't require a lot of living space, as they inhabit areas with inherently little open waters, but will require the tank to be properly equipped with the right type of environment, as open spaces will leave the animal feeling stressed and vulnerable to attacks.

Particularly famous is the Cholassia aquarium, which has the largest Columnar reef tank in the world, featuring 105 different species of reef inhabiting organisms between Ichthyomorphs, Pleuropods and Abranchiates.

The tank's columnar osteophytes are naturally pollinated by the likes of 3 different species of Kikinae Ichthyomorphs, among which there's Ciclokika scutulae.

The tank is two stories tall and is divided into two sections, the upper reef one, where C. scutulae can be observed pollinating the top of the osteophytes, and the lower section, where low-growth osteophytes dominate the undergrowth.

The Cholassia reef tank is the deepest artificial columnar osteophyte reef, with the tallest osteophyte measuring 12 m tall from the base.

Join the Discord:

discord.gg/Ss24Yme

Support me on Patreon:

www.patreon.com/Nijin_Konai

Visit the store:

www.redbubble.com/people/Nijin…