Shallow Sea

Location:

Northern Eurasia

Biome:

Warm Algal Reef

(Red Algae has replaced the now-extinct coral as the new primary reef-building organism)

Climate and Environment:

Warm, shallow waters rich in nutrients and dominated by red algae reefs that have replaced coral as primary reef-builders.

Frequent storms and currents shape reef structures and influence migrations.

Hazards:

Powerful predators like Razorjaws and venomous species like Venomspike Snails pose constant threats. Ocean Phantoms drift through open waters, capturing prey with deadly tentacles.

Bestiary:

Fish

Striped Shark (Galeopistris striata)

Ancestor: Tiger shark.

Size: 4–5 m (13–16 ft).

Appearance: Sleek, muscular predator with distinctive dark stripes along its silver-gray body.

Niche: Apex pelagic predator, hunting fish like Glintfins and smaller Reef Gliders.

Needlefinn (Xiphospina acuta)

Ancestor: Needlefish.

Size: 1.5 m (5 ft).

Appearance: Streamlined, slender body with a sharp, elongated snout.

Niche: Pursuit predator targeting Glintfins and small invertebrates, competing with Reef Gliders for food.

Glassray (Spectroraja pellucida)

Ancestor: Manta ray.

Size: 3 m (10 ft) wingspan.

Appearance: Transparent, flat-bodied filter-feeder with faint bioluminescent patterns for communication.

Niche: Passive grazer feeding on plankton and algae, avoids predators by blending into light patterns near reefs.

Spearfang Eel (Murenaspina venator)

Ancestor: Moray eel.

Size: 2 m (6.5 ft).

Appearance: Slender, sinuous body with a needle-like jaw filled with sharp teeth.

Niche: Ambush predator hiding in reef crevices, preying on fish and juvenile sharks.

Razorjaw (Barracudon ferox)

Ancestor: Barracuda.

Size: 2.5 m (8 ft).

Appearance: Sleek, torpedo-shaped predator with rows of razor-sharp teeth.

Niche: Apex predator preying on Reef Gliders, Striped Sharks, and Flashdart Squids.

Seawhipper (Syngnathus flexilis)

Ancestor: Pipefish.

Size: 70 cm (28 in).

Appearance: Thin, snake-like body with flexible spines and camouflaged coloring.

Niche: Camouflages among algae, ambushing Spindletroopers and small crustaceans.

Finscourge (Remorichthys parasitus)

Ancestor: Remora.

Size: 30 cm (12 in).

Appearance: Slender, eel-like body with suction pads on its head.

Niche: Parasite feeding on wounds of striped sharks and reef gliders.

Jawcracker (Trigomax dentatus)

Ancestor: Triggerfish.

Size: 60 cm (24 in).

Appearance: Stocky, thick-bodied fish with a beak-like mouth and powerful jaws.

Niche: Specializes in cracking open Shellreef Clams and scavenging reef debris.

Glintfin (Luminichthys minor)

Ancestor: Anchovy.

Size: 10 cm (4 in).

Appearance: Small, silvery schooling fish with reflective scales for camouflage.

Niche: Base prey species, targeted by Glowwhips, Razorjaws, and Flashdart Squids.

Angelsnare Shark (Squatinaeumbra scorpio)

Ancestor: Angel shark.

Size: 1.8 m (6 ft).

Appearance: Flat-bodied ambush predator with sandy coloration and barbed fins for defense.

Niche: Burrows in sand to ambush small fish like Glintfins and juvenile Reef Gliders.

Reptiles

Longnecked Luthosaur (Chelonectes elongatus)

Ancestor: Modern sea turtles.

Size: 3 m (10 ft).

Appearance: Streamlined body with a long, flexible neck and powerful flippers.

Niche: Hunts small reef fish and crustaceans while weaving through dense algae growth. Its long neck allows it to probe reef crevices.

Invertebrates

Ocean Phantom (Velellaris giganteus)

Ancestor: Portuguese Man-o-war.

Size: 10 m (33 ft) across.

Appearance: Transparent, sail-like body with dangling bioluminescent tentacles.

Niche: Drifting predator, ensnaring Spinetail Swarmers and baby Reef Gliders.

Spindletrooper (Arthropoda symbiosis)

Ancestor: Sea spiders.

Size: 5 cm (2 in).

Appearance: Small, spindly-legged invertebrate with needle-like limbs.

Niche: Symbiotic protector of Ocean Phantoms, feeding on algae and parasites while defending their hosts.

Reef Glider (Nudibranchus navalis)

Ancestor: Sea slug.

Size: 1.5 m (5 ft).

Appearance: Six fin-like appendages and a soft, vibrant body with iridescent patterns.

Niche: Opportunistic predator immune to Ocean Phantom stings, feeding on its tentacles and smaller creatures.

Glowwhip (Medusaphora lumina)

Ancestor: Jellyfish.

Size: 1.2 m (4 ft) tentacle span.

Appearance: Bioluminescent bell-shaped body with glowing tentacles.

Niche: Ambush predator luring Glintfins and Spinetail Swarmers into its tentacles.

Filtersting (Anemonae guardia)

Ancestor: Sea anemone.

Size: 50 cm (20 in) diameter.

Appearance: Sessile, flower-like predator with barbed tentacles for capturing plankton.

Niche: Filters algae and plankton while offering shelter for fish eggs like those of the Striped Shark.

Reefclimber (Scalpellocancer littoralis)

Size: 30 cm (1 ft) wide.

Appearance: Shell-armored crab with spiny legs and large claws.

Niche: Scavenger that feeds on leftovers from predators, decaying plants, and small invertebrates while climbing reef structures

Spinetail Swarmers (Caridospina gregaria)

Ancestor: Shrimp.

Size: 8 cm (3 in).

Appearance: Slender bodies with barbed tails and long antennae.

Niche: Filter-feeding swarms targeted by Glowwhips and Pierceworms.

Venomspike Snail (Conus toxica)

Ancestor: Cone snail.

Size: 30 cm (12 in).

Appearance: Conical shell with venomous harpoon-like appendage.

Niche: Ambush predator targeting small fish and juvenile Reef Gliders.

Flashdart Squid (Teuthis velocis)

Ancestor: Squid.

Size: 50 cm (20 in).

Appearance: Sleek body with bioluminescent stripes and jet propulsion fins.

Niche: Agile predator preying on Glintfins and Spinetail Swarmers.

Pierceworm (Eunice borealis)

Ancestor: Bobbit worm.

Size: 1 m (3.3 ft).

Appearance: Long, segmented body with extendable jaws and feathery appendages.

Niche: Burrowing predator targeting Spinetail Swarmers and small fish.

Blightdrift (Tunica dominus)

Ancestor: Colonial tunicates.

Size: 1 m (3.3 ft) colonies.

Appearance: Carpet-like colonies forming reef bases with filter-feeding siphons.

Niche: Outcompetes smaller reef organisms and provides habitat for smaller fish.

Shellreef Clam (Bivalvia fortis)

Ancestor: Giant clam.

Size: 1 m (3.3 ft).

Appearance: Massive bivalve forming dense clusters, covered in algae.

Niche: Reef-builder providing structure and protection for reef dwellers.

Algaeweaver (Echinofera cultivus)

Ancestor: Sea urchin.

Size: 20 cm (8 in).

Appearance: Dome-shaped with fine spines and algae-covered shell.

Niche: Herbivore grazing algae patches, shaping reef growth.

Crimson Dancer (Elysia rubrica)

Ancestor: Spanish dancer sea slug.

Size: 60 cm (24 in).

Appearance: Bright red body with undulating edges mimicking flames.

Niche: Herbivore feeding on red algae, avoiding predators with toxic skin secretions.

Plants

Red Algae (Algaecorallia rubra)

Ancestor: Modern red algae (Rhodophyta).

Size: 10 cm–3 m (4 in–10 ft).

Appearance: Bright red, kelp-like fronds and branching coral-like structures. Some species secrete calcium carbonate, forming rigid reefs.

Niche: Primary reef-builder, providing shelter, food, and breeding grounds for reef-dwelling species. Supports herbivores like Algaeweavers and Crimson Dancers while anchoring reefs and filtering sediments.