Tonight, on AceSV's Real-as-Fuck Animals, we continue the Dragon-list with some critters from the sea.
But first, I somehow forgot last time, the Spitting Cobras:
Spoiler (click to show/hide):
Probably because Cobras don't
look all that Dragonny to me, but these snakes are important to Dragonology because their real-life habit of spraying a burning venom into the eyes of would-be attackers inspired the myth of giant serpents breathing fire, a trademark of western dragon lore.
And now, back to our scheduled program. It should come as no surprise to animal-fans that the ocean depths are full of Nature's most freakish and bizarre creatures. But luckily, a certain percentage of those creatures are superbly awesome and Dragonny.
But let's ease into the water with some fresh water species first. An obvious Dragon-like candidate is the ancient Sturgeon:
Spoiler (click to show/hide):
These prehistoric fish are as old as dinosaurs, and can grow to dinosaur-like sizes. A lot of lake-monster sightings are thought by skeptics to be giant sturgeons.
From the wild lakes and rivers of Africa, the toothy Tiger Fish is famous for taking chomps out of any humans that wander into its domain:
Spoiler (click to show/hide):
(Also, secret shoutout to River Monster fans)
Bettas, also known as Thai Fighting Fish, come in Dragon Scale varieties:
Spoiler (click to show/hide):
The Amazon's Arapaima is a gigantic and aggressive fish known for ramming people:
Spoiler (click to show/hide):
Final contender from the fresh water, the Armored Catfish:
Spoiler (click to show/hide):
(Also, if you remember the heron eating a baby xenomorph, I think that was one of these fish)
There are also fun Dragonny members of the Eel family. Starting off with the vicious and beautiful Moray:
Spoiler (click to show/hide):
It occurs to me, my idea of a beautiful animal may be a bit out there.
There's the New Zealand Eel. It may not look as Dragonny as other animals, but...
Spoiler (click to show/hide):
They're famous for swarming at the banks of the water and grabbing land animals that get to close, including sheep, horses and small humans, and death rolling them to shreds.
And how could I not touch the Electric Eel:
Spoiler (click to show/hide):
Again, not really Dragon looking, but it's in the top tier of animal superpowers with the ability to shock things to death with built-in bioelectric attack organs. It can even bring down Caimans. Seems as good as breathing fire to me.
Sea horses can also get in on the action, starting with the Maned Seahorse:
Spoiler (click to show/hide):
A straight up Chinese Myth Dragon, the Ribboned Pipefish:
Spoiler (click to show/hide):
The Weedy Sea Dragon:
Spoiler (click to show/hide):
The fabulous, Leafy Sea Dragon:
Spoiler (click to show/hide):
And a new one for me, the Ghost Pipefish and Harlequin Ghost Pipefish:
Spoiler (click to show/hide):
And this brings us to the deep sea Dragon fish. I was going to try to pick the most normal looking one to go first, so as not to break your brain cells all at once, but they're all complete batshit, so fuck it,
LancetFish, I choose you!
Spoiler (click to show/hide):
Frilled Shark, you're up!
Spoiler (click to show/hide):
Wobbegong, get 'em!
Spoiler (click to show/hide):
Flying Fish, go!
Spoiler (click to show/hide):
Oarfish, it's your turn!
Spoiler (click to show/hide):
Black Dragonfish, finish 'em off!
Spoiler (click to show/hide):
While we're at it, fuck Pokemon for using keys. Come on.
Almost forgot this guy, the Bichir:
Spoiler (click to show/hide):
I had never heard of this before I started looking for dragonny fish.
And some websites suggested the Lion Fish looks Dragon-like:
Spoiler (click to show/hide):
I guess I can see it, but to me these are too familiar to be dragons.