Hookjaw Scuttler

Splitting from its ancestor, the hookjaw scuttler has evolved to thrive off the numerous species of pioneeroots that cover the sandy bottoms of the coastal waters. With the aid of its jaws, it tears off tiny chunks of 'flesh' as it moves between various specimens and species, as if sampling them all. In reality it is merely preventing those that possess toxins from being allowed to be eaten too much without time to break down, less the hookjaw scuttler becomes ill and dies. With such an abundant food supply, their population numbers are extremely high, with their only defense against predation being said numbers. Their only other defense would be a weak bite, and even then it would only come into effect if it weren't caught off guard. With a lifespan of only two years, the larvae develop quickly and only remain in the plankton for short periods of time. Once they settle onto the bottom, they molt into their adult forms and rapidly reach maturity within a several weeks time. Those that manage to survive this will soon be capable of breeding within two to three months.