Phosphatiiformes

**Phosphatiiformes** is an order of fish which descended from freshwater hatchetfish, and which include some of the most well-known creatures ever known. Most of this order's members are colloquially known as **phospots**.

## Description and Ecology

Phosphatiiformes members have three body shapes:

* The **streamliner** type, which is adapted to swim across the ocean during high tides or to escape predators;
* The **crosswaver** type, a more plump body type which helps the fish dig up prey on the seabed, but slows down the fish's speed by slightly a little (as this body shape is not very hydrodynamic);
* The **encruster** type, a more rotund body type which helps the fish escape predators effectively.

They usually prey upon benthic invertebrates. Crustaceans such as copepods and small crabs and small fish are often included in a phospot's diet. Most species are usually very small, although others can get enormous in size.

Phospots secrete a toxin in their skin known as **phosphate**, which can intoxicate the insides of anything that feeds on them. They are also bioluminescent, producing light through large spots on their sides, which are the fish's photophores.

## Behaviour

Most phospots are usually docile and playful, although some species can get a little aggressive. A few phospot species are known to be migratory, shoaling to warmer waters at the beginning of the autumn season and returning back during the spring season.

## Habitat

Most phospots inhabit an archipelago known as the Dinosaur Isles, or a large continent, the Dinosaur Mainland, although only two species are known to live outside of this natural range.

## Known Species

### Order Phosphatiiformes

#### Suborder Phosphatoidei

##### Family Phosphatiidae

###### Genus *Phosphatium* (streamliners)

* *P. austroccidentale* (southwestern phospot)
* *P. boreorientale* (northeastern phospot)
* *P. austrorientale* (southeastern phospot)
* *P. boreoccidentale* (northwestern phospot)

###### Genus *Enigmatiichthys* (encrusters and crosswavers)

* *E. silvestris* (silver phospot)
* *E. midas* (Midas phospot)
* *E. chromatiiformis* (chromatic phospot)
* *E. megarius* (giant phospot)
* *E. gregarius* (longtail phospot)
* *E. inflatus* (phoblow)
* *E. inscriptus* (hollow-bodied phospot)
* *E. encrustatus* (purple void phospot)
* *E. spansii* (Span's phospot)

#### Genus †*Notocincla* (spadefins)

* †*N. flammeola* (Réunion spadefin)
* †*N. viridensis* (Mauritian spadefin)
* †*N. hawaiiensis* (Hawaiian spadefin)
* †*N. novaehollandiae* (North Island spadefin)
* †*N. nylon* (Chatham spadefin)
* †*N. rodriguensis* (Rodrigues spadefin)
* †*N. oahuensis* (O'ahu spadefin)
* †*N. kauaiensis* (Kaua'i spadefin)
* †*N. tricentrotus* (South Island spadefin)
* †*N. dicentrotus* (Auckland spadefin)
* †*N. polyacanthus* (Laysan spadefin)
* †*N. polynemus* (Antipodean spadefin)
* †*N. obscurus* (Campbell Island spadefin)
* †*N. lanaiensis* (Lana'i spadefin)
* †*N. dobiensis* (Snares spadefin)
* †*N. paracuminatus* (Bounty Island spadefin)
* †*N. acuminatus* (Fiordland spadefin)
* *†N. formicinus* (Moloka'i spadefin)
* †*N. rubescens* (Stewart Island spadefin)
* †*N. oblonga* (Maui spadefin)