Pinnacarid

Overview

The Pinnacarid is a friendly fauna species in Subnautica: Below Zero. A small, intelligent, and social predator that effectively fills the ecological role of seals on Earth, it preys on small fish and remains friendly towards the Player.

Appearance

The Pinnacarid has a long, streamlined body with seven pairs of fins that decrease in size towards the tail fin. An additional pair of fins adorn each side of the face; these appear decorative rather than functional.

The head features two pairs of small green eyes arranged such that one pair is above the facial fin and the other below. Atop the head are two purple-tipped antennae that can be retracted into the head when hunting. The front and underside of the head and neck are orange, ending with a small black beak.

The dorsal side of the body is black and the ventral side white, a common method of camouflage. About one third of the way down the dorsal side, there are two thick orange bands that continue all the way to the tip of the tail.

Side view

Front view

Dorsal view

Neck view

Night view

Size comparison to the player

Behavior

Pinnacarids spend the majority of their activity underwater, hunting smaller fish. They can be seen attacking nearby herbivores but remain friendly toward the player. Additionally, Pinnacarids have the ability to traverse between land and water, a behavior observable within either Arctic region.

Any small herbivores found near Pinnacarids can also be fed by hand. Holding one of these fish in the player's hand will prompt the Pinnacarid to swim toward the player.

A Pinnacarid in the Arctic Kelp Forest

A Pinnacarid in the East Arctic

A Pinnacarid in the West Arctic

A Pinnacarid roaring on an iceberg

Data Bank Entry

An intelligent and curious creature which hunts and forages below the waterline, but returns to the surface to breathe.

• Its many flippers make this an acrobatic hunter underwater but vulnerable on land, where it is capable at best of a fast shuffle
• Generally consumes small fish, its diet may also include various plant materials
• Side-facing eyes unusual for a predator, these likely serve as a defensive warning system
• Purple-tinted antennae on the head detect the movement of prey fish nearby
• Shows no aggression towards humans, and even curiosity if there is the chance of a meal

Assessment: Friendly

Source: Scan

Design

The body shape and general behaviour of the Pinnacarid takes inspiration from seals, whilst the many fins are a trait inspired by Cambrian era predators, anomalocarids.

Sounds

• Bite
• Land death
• Water death
• Callout 1-5
• Dive
• Emerge
• Land flinch 1-3
• Water flinch 1-3
• Fast hop 1-4
• Slow hop 1-4
• Push 1-6
• Ride Hurt 1-3
• Ride Off
• Ride On
• Situp
• Slide on land
• Fast swim 1-7
• Slow swim 1-5

Gallery

Pinnicarid on land - by Alex Ries

Pinnacarid variants, C being the one chosen - by Alex Ries

Color variants of Pinnacarid C, A being the final - by Alex Ries

Detailing the Pinnacarid's body structure - by Alex Ries

Early Pinnacarid sketch - by Alex Ries

Later Pinnacarid sketch - by Alex Ries

Concept art of Eggs

Non-Subnautica "Birrin head sketches" that bear a strong resemblance to the Pinnacarid - by Alex Ries, 2009

Trivia

• The Pinnacarid's name is a portmanteau of two taxonomic names: the clade Pinnipedia (which contains seals, sea lions, and walruses) and the suborder of Cambrian era predators Anomalocarida, from which the Pinnacarid takes its appearance.
• The name given in the concept art for the Pinnacarid is Pinnicarid, which matches Pinniped, from which the name was derived. It is likely that the current name was a misspelling made when adding the creature to the game.