Spadefish

Overview

The Spadefish is a small — but larger than other edible fish — passive fauna species. They are very common and can be found in many biomes. Spadefish are very easy to catch, making them a reliable food source.

Appearance

Spadefish have a flat, irregularly-formed body. They have two small pectoral fins and one long dorsal fin that extends across its tail protruding from the back of its triangular head. Behind its pectoral fins, two tendrils extend towards the tail, which they connect to about midway.

The defining characteristic of the Spadefish is its single large eye which lies atop the creature's triangular body. The pupil is split into two halves.

The Spadefish has a broad, yet low, mouth lined with small, pointed teeth. The upper "lip" is split at the center and corners. Three gill slits lie between the mouth and pectoral fins.

The Spadefish's body is predominantly teal in color, with brightly-colored scaly patches towards the rear of the creature. A ring of reddish-pink skin encircles the eye. The fins and the area around the eye are salmon colored, and, along with the scales, emit a bioluminescent glow at night.

Behavior

Spadefish will aimlessly swim around and will flee if approached by the player or a shark classified fauna. Spadefish are curious and will swim towards small classified fauna. They swim slower at night making them easier to catch.

Uses in Crafting

Food & Water

Spadefish

• Description: Small, edible prey fish.
• Food: +8
• Water: -6

Cooked Spadefish

• Recipe: Spadefish + Fabricator
• Description: Decent size, but salty.
• Food: +23
• Water: +3

Cured Spadefish

• Recipe: Spadefish + Salt Deposit
• Description: Your daily dose of salt in a single portion. Dehydrating, but keeps well.
• Food: +23
• Water: -2

Energy Value

• Spadefish: 420 Energy in Bioreactor
• Spadefish Egg: 140 Energy in Bioreactor

Spadefish Egg

• Description: Spadefish hatch from these.
• Acquired From: Spadefish
• Biomes: Deep Sparse Reef, Grand Reef, Grassy Plateaus Caves, Underwater Islands, Underwater Islands Caves
• Debug Spawn: spadefishegg

Data Bank Entry

A medium-sized herbivore found in deeper waters.

1. Single Eye: Observed swimming near to the seabed from where it can keep its one eye on predators in the water above it.
2. Mottled-green Coloration: Commonly encountered in plant-rich environments, the spadefish is well-adapted to hide amongst the vegetation.
3. Behavior: Spadefish tend to move in loose shoals, and despite their low speed will take necessary measures to avoid confirmed predators.

Assessment: Edible Source: Scan

Gallery

Front view

Side profile

Dorsal view

Bioluminescence

Shot from below

A Spadefish held in the players hand

Size comparison with the player

A Spadefish in a Grassy Plateaus Biome

Concept Art

Model from Sketchfab

Trivia

• Their databank entry, physiology and behaviour all suggest that the Spadefish is a detritivore, rather than a herbivore - this places them in the same ecological niche as the Jellyrays and the Ghostrays.
• The model for the spadefish egg was originally intended to be used for the Reefback, until this idea was scrapped.
• This is somewhat odd as it is the only known small fauna whose eggs are obtainable.