The Blackfin Rake

Art done by @SnailEmailed on IG.

### Description

Characterized by its unique black pigmentation on its fins and dangerous sting, this Rake often causes injuries to any person foolish enough to try wading too deep off shore. The Blackfin Rake can be found in shallow waters searching for its favorite prey; baby Skrimps. The Blackfin Rake finds these isopods by smelling disrupted sand. Sometimes, especially during mating season, Blackfin Rakes will "dance" in the sand as a way to attract a mate.

### Behavior

The Blackfin Rake is an interesting creature do to its uniquely combined anatomy of both Rays and Sharks. Spending most of its time in shallow waters along the shore, the Blackfin Rake is a predatory creature that consists almost entirely off of baby Skrimps. Unfortunately, this food source is not as consistently available due to the life cycle of the Skrimp, so this species has placed more effort into being an apex predator of its small environment.

When the Blackfin Rake is not hunting its prey, it appears to sunbathe on the surface of the sand, occasionally floating closer to the surface so that its senses are not muddled by the sand it disrupts on its own.

### Anatomy

##### Head

The head of the Blackfin Rake has a large appearing nose protrusion. This nose possesses sensitive sensors that are able to detect when sand is disrupted within 400-500 feet. Furthermore, the eyes of the Blackfin Rake are less directly connected to its distant relatives; the Rays. The Blackfin Rake's eyes are not perched on top of its body and are instead inset on a sloped body, sacrificing the ability to bury itself in the sand for the ability to see more effectively.

##### Body

The body of the Blackfin Rake is very closely related to both Rays and Sharks, made almost entirely from cartilage and with livers full of buoyant oils. The cartilage these Rakes are made from give them their ability to move their body in ways bones do not allow.

##### Fins and Stingers

Moving primarily through the repeated undulation of the pectoral fins, the Blackfin Rake is closely related to both Rays and Skates. Flowing off of each primary pectoral fin are long barbs, possessing a unique venom that is transferred via the mucus membrane of the stinger.

On the top of the body there is a large dorsal fin, connecting this species once again to its close ancestor; Sharks. This large dorsal fin possesses splotchy black pigmentation, which when seen above water confuses sailors into believing there is a larger fish within the shallow waters. This confusion is what led to the name of the Blackfin Rake, as sailors no longer wished to fear docking their boats in shallow water.

##### Tail

Although stingrays possess barbed tails, the Blackfin Rake has an entirely unique evolution, possessing a tail very similar to a whale. This tail is what allows them to disrupt the sand through their mating dance.

### Reproduction

When Blackfin Rakes enter their mating season, they perform dances on the sea-floor, disrupting sand with their tail. After being observed, it was discovered that these dances are most likely discernable by other Blackfin Rakes because of their unique tempos. Furthering this, scientists believe that each Blackfin Rake has a unique tempo progression to their dance, allowing females to choose between the most desirable mate. While doing this dance, Blackfin Rakes will travel ~100 feet in any direction, ensuring that female rakes, which can only sense disrupted sand in 400-500 feet, are able to find them.

Similar to rays, Blackfin Rakes are ovoviviparous, meaning the females carry the eggs internally before giving birth to live young. This ensures that there are no risks to the small litter Blackfin Rakes produce when mating. Further limiting their reproduction, mating season for Blackfin Rakes only consists of a single month each year.