Underwater Petpets - The Creatures of the Deep by fiery_dragon_fang |  |
MYSTERY ISLAND - Water Petpets seem to attract many Neopians, for their beauty,
elegance, and plain uniqueness are not quite so prominent in some other varieties
of Petpets. Rather than swirling lazily in a bowl, these tropical Petpets will
eagerly follow any Neopet that they bond with, floating magically above the
ground or hopping along merrily. And unlike most land Petpets, they are always
willing to take a dip into the ocean. And as it IS the Month of Swimming, why
not pick up a Water Petpet and go?
These refugees of the horrible Maraqua disaster float up from the wreckage
occasionally, pulled south by a warm current to the shallow waters off the coast
of Mystery Island. Immediately that plucky little yellow Kougra will snatch
them out of the water in thick nets and plop them into the Rock
Pool. Lovely Petpets of various breeds dart about under the water, awaiting
their chance to be purchased and taken home. That cheeky Kougra sells them at
unbelievable prices, and unless it is Half Price Day, you may find yourself
emptying your pockets to buy that adorable little Filamen for your pet.
Rock Pool Petpets and Maraquan Petpets are often confused. Although they are
classified as Water Petpets, the two types are very different. When one thinks
of a Maraquan Petpets, they think of the Koi-bred types such as the Fanfish,
Clampfish, Beanbagchairfish, Sharklight, Toolboxfish, so on and so forth. These
Petpets serve more than one purpose, one as being a Petpet and the other as
being a tool of some type, and are strictly domestic Petpets. Rock Pool Petpets
are highly adaptable and can survive quite well on their own. Some species of
the Little Nippers
of Krawk Island are bred in the waters of the Krawk Island Cove, and are extremely
aggressive, except for some more neutral breeds such as the Blibble. These,
too, need looking-after, and are the choice pets of sea faring Neopet pirates.
Also unlike Rock Pool Petpets, they are strictly adapted to flourishing in the
waters of the Krawk Cove and the Krawk Cove alone.
Rock Pool Petpets live a far different life out in the Open Sea. Here they
fill niches left open by wild Peophin, Tuskaninny, Bruces, Flotsam and of course,
the ever-dangerous Jetsam. Shark Petpets such as the Nuranna are always cruising
through the deeps. They can breathe out of the water, sport two horns, and can
even float in the air! Filamen and Ramosan, among other light-producing Petpets,
cultivate deep underwater gardens from which they feed. The Ramosan rises to
the surface less often than other Petpets, and that Kougra uses such an excuse
to price it way above the range less fortunate Neopians can afford.
Beachcombers such as the Bleamix are usually found on sandbars or uncharted,
small islands digging for prey just below the tide line. Crabulas may be friendly
little fellows in the Neopian home, but in the wild, these crustaceans are extremely
aggressive and hide under rocks to stay out of the intense sun. Easily the most
peculiar Water Petpets, these two are often fighting for control of the beach.
Whale Petpets are some of the largest types living in the ocean. Pods of Walein
click out messages to one another, chasing off any predators by charging at
the offender in groups. They do everything as a group. Rarely does one find
a solitary Walein. Pfish, however, are loners, safe from larger predators because
of their protective colouring. They range in cooler waters. The Bluna lives
in the ice caps, surviving by producing a natural antifreeze. Being extremely
graceful Petpets, they attract the attention of many Neopets that would love
to pet the friendly creature. But the Bluna had also adapted a defensive technique
- keeping the outer layers of its scales so cold that anything daring to touch
it will be frozen instantly.
One of the most amazing water Petpets is the Ghoti. It is extremely gentle
and seems to fly through the water by waving its large "wings". Being delicate,
harmless, and beautiful, the Ghoti is often caught to be displayed in aquariums
around the world. It may seem to be a little intimidating, but it only eats
plankton and hardly notices anything that comes its way. A friendly pat on the
head is enough to bond the cute little Ghoti to any Neopet.
Frillabon may not seem to be very graceful or attractive creatures, but in
the water, they move like ribbons in the wind, and are extremely swift. Frillabon
live near and around Bowlas and Tanizards, for the extra protection that the
larger, sometimes more aggressive Petpets provide. Eelikas, the distant relatives
of the Frillabon, eat meat and will also live near Bowlas in deeper, cooler
waters. Bowlas have the unique ability to expand up to ten times their original
size by sucking in the surrounding water. If this ploy to frighten their predators
fails, they can squirt the water back at its foe to drive it away. Tanizards
lend a nip in here and there if anything gets near to its underwater den.
The Ghostkerfish is really amazing Petpet considering the fact that it was
indeed once belonging to the species called Ghostkerchiefs. They adapted to
living in the ocean and live in the deepest, darkest underwater trenches. A
Halloween Neopet fond of the water as well would find a great companion in the
creepy Ghosterkerfish. They rarely eat anything, seeing as how they're ghosts,
and hate being used as handkerchiefs as much as their land-dwelling counterparts.
A perky little Peadackle is the perfect alarm clock for a seaside abode. They
always laze about in tide pools and flap their wing-like fins to navigate the
shallow reefs. Peadackles are not particularly shy creatures, and peck at smaller
creatures strictly to annoy them. They enjoy the company of Neopets and humans
alike, and can be lured out of the water with food.
Pepitos are extremely intelligent Petpets. They live in the same vicinity
of Catamaras and the enchanting Primella. They make lovely editions to garden
pools and can be trained to do tricks for tiny food treats. Catamaras are more
aggressive and less intelligent, but are no less graceful with their two long
tail fins. Primellas are by far the prettiest out of the three species, with
broad tail fins splitting into many smaller ones, many tiny spikes running down
its spine, and an electrical shock. Their markings make them obvious and are
a warning to any predator that comes near. Primellas are very delicate and need
plenty of care from Neopets to keep their scales in their best condition.
The Baby Blu, a very distant relative of the Blumaroo, are very playful and
friendly, and love to be around others. They eat tiny creatures that feed on
the luxurious growth of seaweed and kelp as well as the multi-colored coral
native to the warm waters near the Rock Pool. Bubblisaurs float around placidly,
growing ever longer as the years go by. In the wild, a healthy Bubblisaur can
live to be up to twenty body segments long. In captivity, Bubblisaurs up to
sixty body segments long have been found if they are well looked after.
Peo try to fill the same niche as the Baby Blu, and throw mighty fits if the
other species doesn't move when it wants to eat something. Unaware of its own
beauty, the Peo will dart about all day, eating whatever it wants until night
falls and it clings to kelp stalks with its tail to avoid drifting away.
The world of Water Petpets is large, and there is an unending list of the
species dwelling in the waters of Neopia. They fill all sorts of niches in the
environment, and fit well in Neopian homes. Life in the water and life on land;
there seems to be no difference to these lovely Petpets. With friendliness and
a touch of love, water Petpets can be the best type of Petpets of all. However,
if you wish to own one, you'd better fill your pockets with Dubloons if you
want to chance the scurvy deck of the Little Nippers Shop, or all of your savings
if you wish to sail south out to the Mystery Island. |
