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The Balloonfish is a group of aerial creatures that existed on Aora for millions of years. Compared to most other family groups, the Balloonfish are the most numerous of their time prior to the Moonfall Extinction, also branching out to evolve into the largest known species on Aora - the Hindenwhales. However, as a result of the Moonfall Extinction, no known species survived to modern day.

Anatomy[]

As the name suggests, Balloonfish share a similar anatomy to most Earth fish, with a paddle-like tail as a propulsion system. Although they appear to have very few limbs compared to other lifeforms at the time, they are actually 6-limbed creatures: their four limbs located at the front near the mouth to act as extra claspers to manipulate food while the third set remained at the back to only be used to grip individuals together during courtship. Their main source of aerial lift is specialized air sacs, which depending on the species either are on their backs or their stomachs.

While a number of species had been excavated and discovered, it is highly believed that hundreds more have yet to be discovered due to their success during their existence:

  • Helices - Balloonfish with their air sacs on their backs.
    • Bearded Balloonfish (Helices ancitus)
    • Eucalip Balloonfish (Helices eucalyptus)
    • Illuminating Balloonfish (Helices lummini)
    • Robust Balloonfish (Helices sturdus)
    • Vibrant Balloonfish (Helices rain)
  • Oxyces - Balloonfish with their air sacs on their stomachs.
    • Gust Balloonfish (Oxyces puffer)
    • Methane Balloonfish (Oxyces poisus)
    • Static Balloonfish (Oxyces voltii)
    • Vent Balloonfish (Oxyces lung)

"Side-Balloonfish"[]

In early excavations of the Aira, the species had a troubling time at first in deciding where the air sacs would go on the Balloonfish. A old, and outdated idea that had been around for thousands of years is a third known species of Balloonfish that had air sacs located on the sides of the body, rather than on the bottom or top. These Balloonfish were believed to have evolved these air sacs as a balancing method as they float in the air.

As time went by though, it is eventually discovered that Balloonfish already have internal air sacs that act in the same way, making the needs for the actual floating air sacs being on the sides of the body unnecessary, if not impossible. As such, the concept became a joke later on down the line.

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