Periscopic Clowncrab

 | Feature | Details | | :--- | :--- | | **Species** | *Ostrakonskelos periskopion* ("Hard-legged periscope") | | **Attitude** | Passive | | **Type** | Mobile | | **Category** | Foragers | | **Biome** | Shallows, Necrolei Hills |   ![Periscopic Clowncrab](Periscopic_Clowncrab.png)   The **Periscopic Clowncrab** is a small, camouflaged lifeform that hides amongst the grass-like gorgonians of the Coral Gardens.   ## Appearance+  At night, the tips of the crab's eye stalks will glow, giving a white texture to them while retaining the black iris.  -A cosmetic variant of the creature can be found in the [[Necrolei Hills]], which shares the same databank entry but is predominantly blue in color.+A cosmetic variant of the creature can be found in the **Necrolei Hills**, which shares the same databank entry but is predominantly blue in color.   ![Orange Variant](Periscopic_Clowncrab.png) ![Blue Variant](Periscopic_Clowncrab_Necrolei_Hills.png)   ## Behavior-*Information regarding specific behavioral patterns is currently incomplete.*  +The Clowncrab randomly wanders between the anemones. When the player gets near, it proceeds to stare at them.+  ## Databank+  **Periscopic Clowncrab**   *Ostrakonskelos periskopion*, the hard-legged periscope. A social crab that shelters among stinging anemones.  -1. **Reduced body**: The clowncrab's single-segment body is an illusion. The multiple segments of other Protean arthropods are still present, nested inside. When the clowncrab molts, it sheds its internal shells through its digestive tract.-2. **Regenerative eyestalk**: Enormous eyestalks mimic the surrounding anemones. If bitten off by a predator, each stalk is packed with unspecialized cells that quickly regenerate missing eyes. If the stalks grow too long, the clowncrab will trim them to avoid drawing attention.-3. **Anemone tender**: The clowncrab provides a valuable service to sessile anemones by ranging out to forage, returning nutrients in its molt and waste. It also grooms the anemones to clean parasites and infections.-4. **Fecund stalk**: The third stalk behind the eyes is a reproductive organ. The same unspecialized cells used to heal the eyestalks become eggs or sperm. Sperm is released into the seawater, while eggs are deposited among anemones.+1.  **Reduced body**: The clowncrab's single-segment body is an illusion. The multiple segments of other Protean arthropods are still present, nested inside. When the clowncrab molts, it sheds its internal shells through its digestive tract.+2.  **Regenerative eyestalk**: Enormous eyestalks mimic the surrounding anemones. If bitten off by a predator, each stalk is packed with unspecialized cells that quickly regenerate missing eyes. If the stalks grow too long, the clowncrab will trim them to avoid drawing attention.+3.  **Anemone tender**: The clowncrab provides a valuable service to sessile anemones by ranging out to forage, returning nutrients in its molt and waste. It also grooms the anemones to clean parasites and infections.+4.  **Fecund stalk**: The third stalk behind the eyes is a reproductive organ. The same unspecialized cells used to heal the eyestalks become eggs or sperm. Sperm is released into the seawater, while eggs are deposited among anemones.   **Assessment**: Sign of a healthy anemone field.   > *Caught script hook in allocated memory for command >> generate-databank "Clowncrab" >> echo \memory-carve -signature=0xSEABEEF5 >> restore-remarks* > > **Remark A**: Centipede! I think the PDA got this thing's anatomy and reproduction completely wrong. I swear I've seen centipedes — a bunch of clowncrabs linked up in a train. I think they grow as a single, segmented organism and then each segment splits off into its own crab. And then maybe they hook up again later? It wouldn't be the weirdest thing we've seen. [metadata author=K. "Wander" Wangmo]   ## Gallery+  ![Bioluminescence at night](Crab1.png) ![Closeup of the Shallows variant](Crab2.png) ![Periscopic Clowncrab camouflaging with grass](Crab3.png) ![A Periscopic Clowncrab cleaning its eye stalk](Crab4.png) ![A small group of Periscopic Clowncrabs](Crab5.png) ![Front view of the Periscopic Clowncrab variant found in the Necrolei Hills](Periscopic_Clowncrab_variant_.webp) ![Necrolei Hills variant side view](Clowncrab_variant_side.webp)   ## Trivia-* The Periscopic Clowncrab was first revealed in the Subnautica Discord server in an image posted by lead developer Anthony Gallegos.-* There is a variation of the Periscopic Clowncrab within the Necrolei Hills.+ +*   The Periscopic Clowncrab was first revealed in the Subnautica Discord server in an image posted by lead developer Anthony Gallegos.+*   There is a variation of the Periscopic Clowncrab within the Necrolei Hills.