Vampire Sturge
Common name: "Vampire sturge" Derived from: Sturgoslontus amplexus Zone 10 Size: Body length 10 cm, Fin length 15 cm
One random mutation happend to amplexus. 1. it grew small (1/2 cm long) spikes from its chin. Originally these spikes were useful for defense until they were used to get food. Some amplexus who had this mutation accidentally spiked their host and drew blood. Then afterwards they started to ride their host with their stomach against the host. They rode that way because it was easier to drink the blood that way. They spiked their host, accidentally, found blood was a good food source and evolved toward that. They started to drink it, and tichius was born.
Looks: The look almost exactly the same except for 2 things. 1. They how have spikes from their chin. There are two (2) of them and are made of keratin that forms from the skin of the moxipod. They are hard enough to pierce the skin of their host. The second way is how they look on their host, they now ride it with their belly to the host. Because they suck the blood of the host now they need easy access to it and belly to the host is the best way to do that. They hold onto the belly so that it can be able to suck the blood easier. It is easier because their mouths are positioned toward the cut so they can suck constantly. Also because they now only get off the host to breed, the do not need easy access to be able to get off. Reproduction: They reproduce the exact same way as the ansestor does.
Eating: This is the main difference from amplexus. They now such the blood of their host. They evolved it this way. They spiked their host, accidentally, found blood was a good food source and evolved toward that. This is how they suck the blood. They hold onto their host belly to it. They hold onto the belly so that it can be able to suck the blood easier. It is easier because their mouths are positioned toward the cut so they can suck constantly. Then they pierce the skin with their spikes. When blood is flowing, they start sucking with their lips around the cut. Clotting is prevented because of the constant sucking. After a meal, which can take days depending on where the cut was made and what time of year, they unsuck and start digesting. They suck around 1 tablespoon of blood. It can take up to 2 weeks to digest. Mature hosts usually don't suffer any lasting damage from the blood loss. Although a mature tichius and a young host may cause disorientation for the host because of blood loss. When ready for another meal it simply repositions itself on the hosts body and starts the process over. They have 2 blood meals a month
Defense: The same as the ansestor, except for one thing. When they do get caught off guard and off the host (which is very rare) they thrash their head at the attacker in a feeble attempt to spike their attacker