Halfmoon Jerky

Halfmoon (tentatively *Moliform luna*). Large forage fish which strains plankton from seawater and nibbles at small growth.

1. Prey fish Staple foodstuff for predators—has evolved several flee-and-hide behaviors. Edible, but a fabricator cook is recommended.

2. Separate plumbing A rigid beak protects two valves which draw in seawater for feeding. Spiracles behind the eyes feed water to internal gills for breathing.

3. Built for agility Body packed with neuromasts to detect water flow. Anterior fins have fenestrae (holes) to help them quickly reverse direction. May have evolved to maneuver in tight quarters or in dense schools of other halfmoons.

4. Peculiar nervous system Lacks reafference cancellation—can't distinguish stimuli caused by its own motions from change in the surrounding world. Easily fascinated by bright light—may even experience itself as causing the light. Sometimes behaves as if disoriented, swimming sideways without apparent benefit.

Assessment: tolerable food source.