Sewage fish (SciiFii)

The sewage fish (Ictalucyprinus saliente), sometimes known as the ghost jumper, is a species of freshwater fish from the family Cyprinidae, despite resembling a catfish, that originally did not exist, but has since been created by SciiFii and introduced throughout the natural and man-made waterways across Eurasia and North America to help boost biodiversity. The closest living relative of the sewage fish is the goldfish (Carassius auratus). The sewage fish is a medium-sized fish, growing to be about 25-30 centimeters (9.8-11.8 inches) in length. The sewage fish is primarily deep brown in color, but in waterways in total darkness such as caverns and sewers, the sewage fish that are born in complete darkness are born without pigments and are pure white as a result. The sewage fish is a generalist omnivore and is able to feed on any plants and animals smaller than itself, including smaller members of its species. Due to being adapted to life at night, the sewage fish has no eyes and has a well-developed catfish-like feelers and the lateral line to navigates its way around. The sewage fish's feelers can be moved independently of one another, and this enables the fish to locate food and sense its surroundings in the darkness. The feelers are kept closed when the fish needs to accelerate rapidly. The sewage fish, like the goldfish, has strong cognitive abilities, allowing the fish to create a mental map of its environment, and it enables the sewage fish to find its way around more easily as well as to find a quick escape route if being chased by a predator. The sewage fish is a skilled jumper, like several other carp species, and uses this ability to move between different areas in its environment, and can survive over one hour out of water, in order to reach new areas. The sewage fish also jumps out of the water to confuse potential predators. The sewage fish is named for often inhabiting man-made waterways, including sewers, and is sometimes called the ghost jumper from sewer workers as the fish often jumps out of the water suddenly as they are startled by the approach of humans. The sewage fish is extremely adapted to the high levels of pollution in man-made waterways such as sewers, being immune to most forms of toxins and chemicals found there. The sewage fish that lives in man-made waterways even absorbs the toxins into its body as a defense against predators. The sewage fish has a primitive lung, not just gills, which enables the sewage fish to survive in the oxygen poor waters. The sewage fish still uses its gills, although at a lesser extent. The gills are usually used to separate the chemicals fron the water and add them to its muscle tissue, to make the sewage fish unpalatable to most predators. The sewage fish is unique among carps and relatives due to the fact that all individuals are born as hermaphrodites, with the males growing up into females over time, similarly to the oceanic clownfish. Breeding occurs year-round, with pairs attaching eggs to cavern, cliff, and sewer walls. The sewage fish fry drop into the water 2 days after hatching. The conservation status of the sewage fish is Least Concern due to successful conservation efforts, the sewage fish's wide range and its tolerance to many of the human activities.
Category:Animals
Category:Species
Category:SciiFii