Deviation Actions
Description
· Freshwater Sand Tiger- The only member of the sand tiger shark family that dwells in freshwater, this large shark (10-12 feet long) is found in all of Kairegorn’s major lakes and rivers. Like its saltwater cousins, it is a fish-eater, though it has also been known to take birds like ducks.
· Spoonbill Paddlefish- a filter feeder, this 6-foot fish is found in large schools. It is a favorite food for dragons and humanoids alike and is found in plentiful numbers as it lays thousands of inedible eggs.
· Giant Candiru- despite being related to the much tinier parasitic fish of the same name, the Giant Candiru is much bigger; as large as a great white shark. Armed with serrated, recurve teeth, it feeds on carrion and smaller fish. Like many catfish it is considered a delicacy, but quotas are placed on its numbers to prevent overfishing.
· Tengavar Pike-Salmon- An anadromous species, the Pike-salmon migrates upriver to spawn before returning to the sea. It grows to 55 pounds and some populations are landlocked.
· Whorltooth Mako- a lamnid shark related to the Shortfin Mako and the mighty Great White Shark, this is a fast-moving hunter of fish that dwells in saltwater and freshwater alike. Like the previously thought extinct Helicoprion, it has spiraling whorls of teeth in its lower jaws to cut fish to ribbons and feed them into its mouth. It grows to 10 feet long and weighs close to 800 pounds.
· Smallhead Barramundi- An omnivore that weighs up to 20 pounds, the Smallhead Barramundi is a solitary, yet highly abundant creature. The only time they socialize is breeding season in winter, where they gather into schools of thousands to deposit eggs on weeds and rocks. The eggs are inedible to most fish, save for the pygmy albacore, a freshwater tuna.
· Pygmy Albacore- One of only two freshwater tuna species (along with the Freshwater Bluefin), the Pygmy albacore is a speedy opportunist that is one of the most common fish in the rivers, especially the open surface areas, where it dwells in such numbers that it can darken the water when feeding. Titanodactyls and dragons alike feed on these fish, as do many other creatures.
· Kairegornan Tigerfish- A truly fearsome predator, this saltwater member of the genus Hydrocynus is renowned for its aggressive disposition and its crazed, almost psychotic look. With serrated teeth set into double-hinged jaws, this 7-foot monster is capable of attacking prey even larger than itself, and it is bold enough to take bites out of the tail of a great white shark, but woe betide the Tigerfish should the white shark catch it in retaliation.
· Longtail Dugong- A gentle giant, the Longtail dugong is known well for its singing ability and its friendly disposition. An herbivore like all of its relatives, this 15-foot sirenian feeds on lake weed, algae and other aquatic plants. Too heavy to be attacked by anything but sea serpents and dragons, it has virtually no predators. Dragons do not hunt the Longtail dugong, as they respect the gentle beasts and see them as a sign of continued health of the rivers and lakes. Humans in particular love to swim with these creatures, as they are playful and gentle, with a love of being scratched and fed.
· Short-faced Sea Lion- A pinniped that greatly resembles a plesiosaur; this 150 pound sea lion is a freshwater hunter. Prey for creatures such as the Whorltooth Mako and of course Dragons, this sea lion itself feeds on fish, crayfish and crabs, and even birds. It prefers to breed on islands in the rivers where there is enough vegetation to hide them from predators though if attacked by creatures such as dromaeosaurs, they can be formidable fighters, lashing out with snakelike speed with their teeth and strong jaws.
· Tusked River Dolphin- A strange and secretive creature, the Tusked River Dolphin is all but blind. Preferring to hunt at night, it feeds on nocturnal fish or day swimming fish that are searching for shelter during the night. Scars along its body indicate that the species fights with members of its own kind, but it remains unknown why.
