Creature:Murkdweller (Concept)

Scientific Classification
Domain: Eukaryota (Complex Organisms) Kingdom: Animalia (Animals) Phylum: Chordata (Vertebrates) Subphylum: Vertebrata (Vertebrates) Infraphylum: Gnathostomata (Jawed Vertebrates) Superclass: Osteichthyes (Bony Fish) Class: Sarcopterygii (Lobe-Finned Fish) Order: Pleurourus "Side Tail" (Side Tails) Family: Camptostegus "Flexible Roof" (Armored Side Tails) Genus: Dibrachioidae "Two Arms" (Dual-Armed Armored Side Tails) Species: Tyrannovenator "Tyrant Hunter" (Murkdweller) Binominal Name: Dibrachioidae Tyrannovenator

Description
The Murkdwellers are a non-sapient species of fish, found residing in their homeworld's oceans. Although non-sapient, they are very intelligent, and use their cunning to catch even some of the most vicious prey which would otherwise act as predators to the Murkdweller. On their homeworld, they are some of the top predators to be found within the oceanic waters.

Although they appear to be a creature related to the ancient sea scorpion, they are in fact Saropterygii, or "Lobe-Finned Fish", more closely related to the coelocanth and lungfish.

Physiology
Under Construction.

Statistics
Species Type: Warm-blooded Marine Vertebrate Lifestyle: Solitary carnivore Hunt/Forage Success Rate: 80% hunt Armor: Backside is covered in somewhat flexible super thick armor plates Defenses: Able to bury itself in the silt of the seafloor when resting and digesting a meal. Despite its weak tailfin, it has powerful muscles in its tail as well as six flipper/fins that help propel it along at suprising speeds, although it normally travels at a fairly leisurely pace. Weapons: Acidic phlegm housed in a mucous membrane to avoid dillusion in the water. Strong stomach acids to digest live prey. Tools: Extendable mouth, two front flippers adapted into feeding arms Method of Eating: Chases down weaker creatures and catches them in its mouth. Afterwards, it dives under the silt of the seafloor to hide while it digests its meal. Also allows would-be predators to attack it if they are unable to pierce its armor, and lures them to their death, sometimes using its acidic phlegm to injure the opponent first. Reproductive Rate: Sexual maturity is reached after 6 years. Can reproduce only during the summer months. Gestation: 3 months then lays eggs -- eggs laid in camouflaged nest hidden in sea fern groves in the mother's territory until they hatch. Offspring Incubation: 13 weeks until egg hatches after being laid. Number of Offspring: 20 Offspring Survival Rate (before age of maturity): 80% -- they are kept within a special pocket area within their mother's mouth, where they are able to nibble at food she consumes. Deaths in young may occur if the prey puts up a relatively vicious attempt at survival. Plural/Singular: Murkdweller/Murkdwellers