Pygmy Hullback

Splitting from its ancestor, the pygmy hullback has, as its name suggests, grown smaller. Descended from hullbacks that managed to float their way into tropical waters, their new coloration helps them to blend in with the various island colonialballs and the like, helping camouflaging them from would-be predators who would otherwise attack them from below. Other than this, behaviorally they have not changed that much from their ancestors.

While the jaws of females are the same as their ancestors, those of males have been modified. Ones with larger, longer jaws are seen as being more physically attractive. As this can inhibit feeding to a degree, males with the largest jaws who are also healthy are seen as being very good mates, and thus are sought after.

Eggs are lain upon the ocean surface where they will float about, protected by a toxic gel-like substance that encapsulates them. Once they hatch, the tadpoles will make their way to island colonialball masses, taking shelter beneath them. Here they will remain for two to three months, or at least until they are large enough to metamorphosis into their adult forms. Once this occurs, they will then lazily float upon the ocean at the mercy of the winds and currents, avoiding predators while seeking out food sources and potential mates.