Did another Invent-A-Fish entry! It's a strangely addicting contest.
Bonus info I forgot to include/didn't have space for:
Kintsugi Gladiators will choose mates off their own preference/what they believe to be the most important factor that breeding season. Ex) A lack of prey in the area may cause them to choose mates that have more heavily scarred skulls. They are quite intelligent, but tend to be reckless, as they sometimes overestimate the durability of their own bodies.
The skull has a sturdy plating for bashing prey and enemies. It can still crack, but doing so in moderate frequency is often very beneficial to the fish, as it makes that already strong plate, even tougher!
Additionally, the 3 rows of little spikes along the spine, also serve as sensors. They are quite perceptive, and their eyes are low, beneath the hard plating on the skull, to protect their vision. However, should a Kintsugi's vision be damaged, or its target out of sight, the spines can sense nearby movement in the water. This allows the fish to react quickly, and whip its powerful and sharp body around, slamming its targets even when they are in its blindspots!
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This is for AVNJ's Invent A Fish contest on youtube/discord/twitch! I'll probably reblog this IF I get nominated, since I did last time much to my surprise??? Haha I'm glad people liked it last time? XD