Symbiote

The Symbiote is an aggressive fauna species that will appear in Subnautica: Below Zero.

Appearance
The Symbiote's body is small, and is divided into two distinct parts: the short but wide anterior region and the long, thin translucent posterior region.

The anterior region features a sharp black beak and a pair of orange eyes with black, horizontal pupils. Three slim red fins protrude from just behind this region, each tapering to a point and situated at 60 degree intervals.

The posterior region from the red fins down is drastically different from the anterior part, being composed of a red, translucent tissue through which the ribs and spinal column are visible. Four pairs of small, translucent black spikes protrude from the body on the dorsal and ventral side. Towards the posterior end, the red flesh near the caudal fin transitions to black, then to the blue again.

Behavior
These small aggressive creatures live in a symbiotic relationship with the Titan Holefish. Symbiotes lay their eggs within a blue gel-like substance in the tail hollow of the Titan Holefish. Here the eggs can extract the nutrients and oxygen in order to grow. In return the adult Symbiotes form shoals around the Titan Holefish, attacking any potential predators that come close and removing parasites from the Titan's body.

Design
The beak of the Symbiote is very similar in structure to the beaks of birds within the family Psittacidae, aka parrots. The behaviour of the Symbiote towards the Titan Holefish resembles the cleaning behaviours displayed by several real world animals.

Trivia

 * The Symbiote and the Titan Holefish are the fourth creatures shown in a symbiotic relationship, the first three (all in the original game) being the Crashfish and the Sulfur Plant, the Crabsnake and the Jellyshroom and the Sea Emperor Leviathan to the Peepers inside it's aquarium.