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Name: Prospector Finback (Ichthyoparvulus comprimens)
Creator: Rhinobot
Ancestor: Finback
Habitat: Koopa Subtropical Coast, Ninth Subtropical Coast, and Jlindy Tropical Coast
Size: 50 cm
Support: endoskeleton (chitin)
Diet: Carnivore (Mooncrest Hammerhead, Dunki, Marine Fraboo, Rojerius, young Ocean Scorpodile, Clarke Cleaner Echofin, Shailnitor, Trunk Frabuki, and Krillpedes)
Respiration: Active (Microlungs)
Thermoregulation: Endotherm
Reproduction: Sexual, Two Sexes, Eggs

The Prospector Finback has split from its ancestor, the Finback, and moved to the west coast of Wallace. Here, this group of finbacks filled the niche of predator of hard-shelled organisms. Their once simple pincer-like fangs have now become a stronger beak-like structure for their shell-crushing diet. The snorkel hairs have migrated closer to the tip of the fin permitting more efficient breathing when breaching the surface. Along with this, the prospector finback has grown larger.

The prospector finback is a solitary creature. Throughout the day, the prospector finback will scour the sea floor for suitable prey to feed on either in the open water or the sea floor and periodically go to the surface to take in air to breathe where they'll rest long enough to fully oxygenate their bodies. They are at their peak of hunting at night when their prey cannot see them. The prospector finback hunt by detecting the movement of the prey with their large echolocation-capable ears and long sensitive whiskers. If they suspect prey nearby they will emit a series of sounds to pinpoint the prey better.

During the spring they will journey to coastlines to mate. After mating the female lays her eggs in shallow water. The female will lay around 20 to 30 eggs in a natural crevice. the female will guard the eggs with their mate until they hatch. The hatchlings will disperse immediately.

This post has been edited by Rhinobot: May 29 2023, 12:08 PM

I know the description is really short. I'm at the moment at a loss for exact details to add.

Does she cover the eggs, or lay them on, between, or under objects or flora? How many young do females typically produce? What size are they when they first hatch? Do they look or act differently from the adults (e.g., eating smaller prey species)? Do the parents provide parental care? Are they social or tolerant of others of their kind? If so, by how much? Do they compete with any other species? Do they have other interesting interactions with other species? Do they have preferred prey species? They live in the subtropics, which has winter (if a mild, short one). Do they have any adaptations for this (e.g., migration, reduced activity)? (This might not be necessary, but it could be interesting.0

How long can they go between trips to the surface? Do they have depth preferences? Are they continuously, equally active throughout night, or do they rest? Are there particular hours/ranges (e.g., early night, late night) where they are most active? Are there notable predators? Does it have ways of responding to notable predators?

Nice critter, in size make sure to mention it's in units of length

I love this already...


Can you talk more about its echolocation?

You could reiterate how their dorsal fin functions in regard to breathing

You could also talk about the whiskers

This post has been edited by colddigger: May 24 2023, 12:01 PM

Image:
No issues.
I like the sparkles and whiskers.

Template:
For the habitat listing, “and” is not typical.
Reproduction: “Two Sex” should be “Two Sexes”.

Description:
The description feels too small right now, so I’ll wait until you add more information.