Acanthovisus
Taxonomy
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Ancestors and Descendants
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Creator: ZoologicalBotanist
Habitat: Datura Tropical Sea, Datura Swamp, Datura Tropical River
Size: 60 Centimeters
Diet: Herbivore (Young: Wavelilly, Reeweed, Waveskimmer, Shelleaf, Violet Reefern), Detritivore (Young), Scavenger, Carnivore (Adults: Freshwater Helmcrawler, Helmcrawler, Scuttler, [[Claviscus], Tropical Sea Flaplet, Dazzled Crawler, Jetclam), Cannibalistic
Reproduction: Sexual, Eggs laid in ponds
The acanthovisus has greatly improved upon its ability to walk on land. Its fins have now become muscular, allowing it to move faster than it was previously able to. Adult acanthovisus are strict carnivores, consuming whatever it can fit in its mouth, dead or alive. It will even eat small members of its own species! Eggs are laid in the water, and are guarded by the parents until they hatch. The parents will also guard the young once they hatch, but will not otherwise care for them. The young look like a smaller, limbless version of the adults. Young acanthovisus cannot go on land like the adults, and must remain in water while their limbs develop over the course of a year. The young are less picky eaters than the adults, consuming aquatic plants, detritus, and small portions of dead animals. During the metamorphosis from young to adult, many changes are made, mostly internal. In addition to the addition of limbs, the lungs are developed, and the digestive system changes from a primarily herbivorous diet to a purely carnivorous diet. Adult acanthovisus mate once a year. Males preform elaborate displays to impress females, culminating in duels with rival males. In these duels, males will use their limbs, tails, and head to strike their opponent. This behavior will continue until one of the two males surrenders or is defeated. Once a male has won over a female, the female leads him to the nesting site, where she proceeds to lay her eggs, which are promptly fertilized by the male. Acanthovisus are monogamous, and mate for life. The mating displays performed each year are performed by the young born the year before. Each breeding pair usually has a specific pond that they maintain as their territory, using it as a nesting site year after year.