Crashfish (Below Zero)

The Crashfish is a defensive fauna species. The Crashfish lives in a symbiotic relationship with a flora species named the Sulfur Plant.

Appearance
The Crashfish is a round, oval shaped fish with widely spaced nostrils, a wide mouth, and one pale yellow eye with a large black pupil. The top of the body is red and scaly, whilst its underside and face are covered by smooth, cream colored skin. Many spikes protrude outwards from the Crashfish's body; these spikes are beige in color, tipped with red and are responsible for triggering their characteristic explosive chemical reaction. The same spikes make up its fins, though these are much more brightly colored than the spikes found elsewhere on the body.

Behavior
Upon sensing the player's presence, the Sulfur Plant opens up like a flower and emits a menacing gurgle, revealing the Crashfish inside. If the player approaches further after the Crashfish's initial warning, the Crashfish will launch itself out of the Sulfur Plant and charge at the player. If the player instead heeds the warning and backs off, the Crashfish will retreat back into the Sulfur Plant.

If the Crashfish explodes next to a Seatruck with the player inside, it can deal serious damage to the vehicle depending on proximity. Should an unaware player not see the Crashfish after hearing its warning noise, it is highly advised to swim in the other direction from where the sound originated. Crashfish also deal about 45% damage to a Prawn Suit, making them a very real threat to it.

The Crashfish is a very fast swimmer and can also easily catch up with an ill-equipped player, dealing severe damage to their health and also to their Oxygen level. The Crashfish becomes aggressive when the player gets too close, and can be identified with its loud ‘reet’ sound. Using evasive maneuvers to put obstacles between the player and the Crashfish rather than swimming away in a straight line is advisable in most circumstances.

While the Crashfish is also scannable inside the Sulfur Plant, caution is advised when attempting this process. The easiest and fastest way to accomplish this is to freeze the Crashfish with a Stasis Rifle as it peeks out of its home to scan it.

Crashfish eggs can be found near Sulfur Plants. Take care when collecting them, as a nearby Crashfish explosion will destroy them.

Infant Crashfish can be used as ammo for the Propulsion Cannon, and can be used as a type of bomb. It should be noted that when inside an Alien Containment, Crashfish will not explode.

Trivia

 * The Crashfish can be used to the advantage of the player, especially if they have a Propulsion Cannon on hand.
 * The Crashfish has some similar aspects to real-life blowfish, as seen in the concept art. In the game, it swells like a balloon, complete with spikes.
 * The Crashfish also bears a striking resemblance to the Cacodemon from the first person shooter, DOOM, which itself is likely based upon the Beholder of Dungeons & Dragons.
 * According to the databank, the Crashfish explodes when one of its spikes is struck. This resembles the classic naval contact mine, which detonates when one of the "horns" on its casing is crushed by contact with a ship hull.