Elegant Emperor Phibisian

Splitting from its ancestor, the elegant emperor phibisian came about from several pregnant cave phibi that managed to make their way out of the water table. They still possess poor eyesight, though their feelers allow them to sense their surroundings. Since leaving the water table it has regained its coloration for protection against harmful UV radiation.

They breed once a year, producing one to three eggs which they lay on the sediment. Males will circle and guard them fiercely, attacking creatures larger than itself as well as other phibisians. During the course of nearly a month he will go without hunting, aerating and caring for his unborn offspring until they hatch, after which he will resume feeding.

Young are born with better vision with the adults, as well as a higher metabolism. They thus hunt constantly compared to their elder's once in a week or two life style. They occasionally work in groups though prefer to go it alone. They will reach full size in five years and sexual maturity in two.

The preferred hunting style of young elegant emperor phibisians is to swim slowly through the water, creating a false sense of calm. As they pick out their target, they swim along side it until it is too late for the prey to escape. In an instant they will turn towards it, jaws wide open, and snap it up in a single bite. This hunting style allows them to conserve energy as most smaller organisms die instantly, while larger ones are mortally crippled by the bite.