Female Hatchling
Name: unnamed
Species: Euphotic Dunkleosteus
Birthday: Tuesday, September 6, 2022
Owner: Master Belmos
Element: Life 
Unlike many hatchlings, dunkleosteus hatch out of their eggs fully formed and able to take care of themselves. They receive no care from their parents and must avoid any dunkleosteus large enough to see them as a meal. Already the youngsters sport their own heavy plates that allow them to crush the hard shells of mollusks and pierce through nearly anything that can fit in their mouths. They do not seem to care much about land creatures and only really pay attention to large flying creatures if they are near the surface; the dunkleosteus are already heavy enough that most common birds cannot lift them. The hatchlings may occasionally watch their magi from within Lake Lakira with their wide, lidless eyes, but otherwise they are not especially responsive. Even the most foolhardy young magi know not to dip their toes into water where dunkleosteus dwell, otherwise they may not have toes for much longer.
Euphotic dunkleosteus are found in most warm, shallow waterways, though never in high populations. Their size requires them to consume a large amount of food, especially during the winter months, so it is rare to find more than one dunkleosteus in a stretch of river at a time. They can migrate long distances, though, and every few years will congregate out in shallow bays near the mouths of these rivers to breed. They do not spawn, unlike most bony fishes, and the females may carry their eggs for over a year before laying it in a muddy channel. No one is sure how euphotic dunkleosteus choose where to lay their eggs, but they usually seek out areas far from where they normally hunt. The grueling breeding season usually only occurs once every ten years, so it can take a long time for dunkleosteus populations to recover from disastrous events and overhunting. Euphotic dunkleosteus are sought after amongst magi who dedicate their lives to helping others, as shed scales and algae scrubbed off from the euphotic dunkleosteus have many healing properties.
Sprite art: Tekla (hatchling) | Description: PKGriffin