Seaglass Fish
The Seaglass fish is a clear, see through fish. It lives in the in the shallow waters in the Ceruza Delta and around the Arunian Islands. They do not take oxygen from the water like most fish. Instead of gills they have a host of algae living in a special place in their back.
Habitat
The Seaglass Fish live in shallow water, because they need sunlight. They also need clear water, that sunlight can pass through. They live in and around the mouth of the Ceruza Delta. However their primary habitat is the shallow lagoons and bays of the Arunian Islands, to the south of the Main Island.
Physical Apperance and Anatomy
The Seaglass Fish is an odd looking fish, it is wider at the spine then tapers down toward the underside. It has wide pectoral fins, a narrow dorsal fin, small ventral fins and long tapered tail fins. The average lenghth is is about eight inches, though they can grow up to a foot long.
The most unusual thing about the Seaglass Fish is the have no gills. Instead they have a chamber in their back that contains a micro algae. The have special capillary blood vessels that pass under the algae. These blood vessels carry carbon to the algae that take it and make oxygen, which is carried to the fishes lungs.
The Seaglass Fish has a symbiotic relationship with the algae that grows inside it. The Seaglass Fish carries the algae to sunny waters and prevents other fish from eating it. The algae gives the fish oxygen.
Life Cycle
The Seaglass Fish is hached from small silvery crystal like eggs, layed in the soft sands on the island lagoons. They are born with small gill like structures. The immediately swim to the surface to find the algae that blooms around the same time they hatch, in late summer. They swim through the algae collecting it in their gills. The algae releases spores that travel through thin tube like structures that connect the gills to the algae chamber.
As the algae begins to grow in the fish, their gills slowly fade, merging with the rest of its scales. The Seaglass fish usually lives in the same lagoon its entire life. They occasionally been known to travel into deeper water remaining at the surface. This is how they can travel to and spread to new islands.
When ready the male Seaglass Fish will make a nest in the sand, creating a shallow impression. Then they look for a mate. To attract a mate the male will swim with its head pointed down, showing off the algae in its back. Males with lots of healthy algae are more attractive to females. The female will often swim around a displaying male, checking it out. If she desides he is the one she will tip her head down, mimicking him. Then the return to the nest to lay and fertilize their eggs. During this process they also release some of the algae's spores, which will provide new algae growth for the next generation.
Predators
There are a few kinds of larger fish that prey on the Seaglass Fish, especially any that venture into deeper water. But the primary predator it the High Reed Stork, they wade into the shallow waters and wait, then stab down with their sharp beaks. Their wide back can make the Seaglass Fish an easy target if they are to slow. The Dark Winged Hawk and the Fishing Bat are other common predators.
The Seaglass Fish swim in schools, moving quickly. Only a few members of the school at a time stop moving to eat. This helps confuse and distract predators. They also will swim into algae blooms where they can blend in, or under and around lily pads and other water plants. Bigger Seaglass Fish will sometimes swim above the smaller fish blocking predators.
Diet
The Seaglass Fishes primary diet is small water plants and bugs. They eat alot of algaes and lily pads. Along with insect larva and insects that fall into the water. They prefer bugs that are softer like spiders and flys, not hard shelled beatles. They like smaller bites, things that can be consumed fast. So they don't have to stop when predators might be watching.
Seaglass Fish are a fascinating species, and considered one of the most beautiful. Many people travel to the Delta or one of the islands just to see them. People who live closer to them will watch them swim for an afternoon activity on a slow day. They are also the most commonly painted fish in the Pocket Void.
Additional Information
Geographic Origin and Distribution
The Aquarulia Sea and Ceruza Delta
The Seaglass Fish is
6" to 1'
Thin underneath with a wide back. Thin back fins, and wide side and tail fins.
Clear with a deep green tint.
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