Bubblefish
"The Mereids call this a 'bomb fish', because it 'blows up' anything that tries to eat it. Who would have thought that this play on words works in the English language, as well as in Mereidese." - Gwenabwy Benneth-Myricks, author of Otherworldly Beastiary
The bubblefish (Inflatuspina iridescentis) is a magical marine animal known for its unique defense mechanism. Hailing from the mystical waters of Aquanara, this fish dwells among the world's extensive coral reefs and boasts a distinctive magical ability. Its top and bottom fins contain sharp spines laden with magical venom that causes predators to inflate and float to the ocean's surface, rendering them temporarily immobile. On land creatures, the venom has a similar effect, causing them to float away helplessly.
In Earth's oceans, the fish is an invasive species, but luckly it is quite rare. Most bubblefish on Earth live in captivity.
Appearance
The bubblefish has an oval body covered in a vibrant array of colors, featuring iridescent blues, greens, reds and yellows shimmering across the scales. While they are all quite beautiful, the most colorful species of bubblefish is the rainbow bubblefish (I. iridescentis), which can boast patterns in any colour imaginable. This beautiful display of colour is what gives the bubblefish its name, as it is reminiscent of the colourful streaks on the surface ofa soap bubble.
Depending on the species, bubblefish can grow up to a foot long. Their most notable feature are a series of spines in its dorsal and ventral fins. Normally they are mostly swept back, but the fish can move and point them in the direction of a predator, or simply spread them out. These spines are translucent and, under the right lighting conditions, emit a faint, otherworldly glow.
Behavior and Habitat
On Earth, bubblefish are often found in warm, shallow waters, where they prefer coral reefs and underwater structures that offer hiding places from potential threats. They are solitary creatures, interacting with others of their kind only during mating seasons. Their diet consists primarily of small invertebrates. In their native Mundus, Aquanara, it is believed they inhabit a similar ecological niche, though specifics of their role in that realm's ecosystem remain largely unknown.
Uses in Magic
The venom of the bubblefish is sometimes harvested as an ingredient. While its use in philtromancy is not that common, if properly pepared it can be used as a replacement for levitilily if, for some reason, levitilily is not available or not compatible with other ingredients.
Precautions
Handling the bubblefish requires extreme caution due to its venomous spines. A single prick can result in uncontrollable inflation. Magical practitioners who keep these fish or harvest their venom typically employ protective charms or specialized equipment. While antidotes exist, they are typically not readily available due to the rarity of the venom. While the venom is not lethal, the risk of injury from floating and subsequent falls is significant, and inflated individuals must be retrieved and treated promptly to avoid accidents.
Due to its invasive status on Earth, environmental controls are in place to prevent the bubblefish from disrupting local ecosystems. Captive breeding programs are closely monitored, and release into the wild is strictly prohibited.