The crested gilltail evolved when a population of follower gilltails entered the Kenotai Salt Marsh. Finding the area devoid of predators, they soon colonized the area and began adapting to the conditions there. Switching their diet to the sole flora species living in the marsh at the time, the pioneer twinkoral, the crested gilltail's fins gained the pigment color of the twinkoral. With the abundance of food and shortage of predators, they also doubled in size. The males gradually evolved beak crests to aid them in their mating or territorial battles, and as a form of sexual display. The crested gilltail also gained a greater tolerance to freshwater, though it remains unable to go out of the salt swamp.
Living Relatives (click to show/hide)
These are randomly selected, and organized from lowest to highest shared taxon. (This may correspond to similarity more than actual relation)
