Zeros Fauna - Scastal's Reefs

Scastal is an equatorial archipelago near the continent of Sanipse. Originating from intense volcanic activity, the island is known for its jungles, its drier landscapes, and its immense mangroves that insinuate themselves deep inland.
The endemic fauna combines the familiar with the strange, a unique and fascinating character to observe or study.
« « « WARNING: The animals illustrated here are not to scale! » » »
Here are some species found near rocky or coral reefs:
1) Urchin crusher (locally: BWAYÈR DI UWSIN) [1-2 m]: A difficult-to-observe fish. It is distinguished by its bulbous head, whip-like tail, armored mouth, and teeth adapted to hard-shelled invertebrates.
2) Creasted urchin (UWSIN CRÉTÉ) [15-20 cm]: This species belongs to a family of tropical sea urchins with long, hollow spines. They have two different sizes of spines on the top and bottom of their bodies.
3) Common urchin (UWSIN KOMIN) [20-22 cm]: A large, edible sea urchin common to many coastal environments around the equator. It feeds primarily on brown algae.
4) Longlips wrasse (JIRÈL LONG-LÈV) [20-25 cm]: A small fish that feeds on algae in coral reefs. The males have bright colors that they display in the sunlight to attract females.
5) Marbled wrasse (JIRÈL MARBLÉE) [10-15 cm]: A small rocky reef fish that feeds on marine plants. Its patterns serve as camouflage, allowing it to hide among rocks and scree.
6) Silverjack or Scruntling (JAK DI ARJAN) [20-40 cm]: A deep-sea fish that comes to rest in groups in the coral reefs north of Scastal. Its silvery scales have given it its name.
7) Pompadour tang (CHIRIJYEN PONPADUW) [22 cm]: This tropical fish has a sharp blade on each side of the base of its tail. Its name comes from the distinctive shape of its dorsal fin.
8) Giant sandcleaner (FOUY’SAB JÉYAN) [50-90 cm]: A partially colored fish that uses its barbels to dig through the sand for small invertebrates. Its flesh is renowned for its delicious taste.
9) Jaguar angelfish (PWASON-ZANJ JAGWA) [40 cm]: Also called "Gold-spotted angelfish", this highly territorial coral species is the only one with stripeless patterns.
10) Bugeye blenny (BLÉNI BUGYÉ) [20 cm]: Recognizable by the colorful membrane surrounding its eyes. Like many blenny species, this species lives on the bottom and forms lifelong pairs.
11) Golden tetraodon (KATRODON DOWÉ) [15-25 cm]: An enemy of fishermen, this armored fish has sharp teeth that cut through net mesh to escape. It's also poisonous.
12) Devil toadfish (SKARASS DYAB) [40 cm]: Remarkably camouflaged, this tropical coral fish is spiny and its sting can be deadly. This fish prefers to "walk" with its pectoral fins rather than swim.
13) 5-spot ladyfish (KOKSISON A 5 PWENS) [7.5 cm]: This small, colorful fish feeds on plankton. It lays its eggs near poisonous corals to protect them, but the males stay behind to aerate the eggs.
14) Shootingstar squid (KALMA-ÉTWAL-FILAN) [25-35 cm]: Named for the bright, star-like spot on its back, this reef squid communicates by flashing the spots that cover its back.
15) Big-headed pliochelon (PLIOCHELON A GWO-TÈT) [1.5-2.5 m]: A close relative of turtles, this jellyfish predator is widespread worldwide. Males are almost twice the size of females.
16) Rectos ammotilus (AMOTIL REKTOS) [20-29 cm]: Prehistoric mollusk that builds a strangely shaped shell and uses a pair of arms as fins to guide its swimming.
17) Danser cuttlefish (SÉPIE DANSÈZ) [20-22 cm]: Small cuttlefish with lobed fins that undulates gracefully. Lives on sandy or muddy bottoms and hunts for small crustaceans right up to the shore.
18) Golden shrimp (CREVÈT DOWÉE) [60-65 mm]: Medium-sized shrimp, highly sought after by locals. The species is solitary but gathers when feeding on large carrion.
19) Bigclaw stonecrab (WOCHKRAB CHARNUPINS) [9-16 cm]: Marine crab with enormous claws, lives in rocky reefs. The texture of its shell varies depending on the type of rock surrounding it.
20) Zebra octopus (POULP ZÈBÉ) [1 m]: This octopus hunts crustaceans and fish by paralyzing them with its venomous saliva. To scare people, it can create flashes by rapidly turning white.
21) Speckled torpysce (TOWPISK TAKTÉE) [3-5 cm]: Herbivorous gastropod with large, whisker-like sensory tentacles that allow it to analyze aquatic plants before eating them.
22) Blue seaslug (LIMAS D’MÈR BLEW) [2-4 cm]: Like many sea slugs, this species is not herbivorous, but feeds on sponges or sea anemones and reuses their toxic molecules to defend itself.
23) Bloated starfish (ÉTWAL BOUSOUFÉE) [4-5 cm]: Small starfish with short arms and variable colors which feed on the remains of dead organisms on rocky coasts.