Tropical reefs are home to some of the most colorful and diverse wildlife in the oceans. This is as true for Earth as it is for Eryobis. The Caddis Sea and the shallow waters around the Rubiëran archipelago are home to some of the largest reefs on Eryobis and consequently, are home to some of the most stunning aquatic creatures to be found on this world.
A prime example of this is the blueside molula (Molula cyanopleurus), a splendidly colored species of nienktvis. Named for its outward resemblance to the molas from Earth and given the Latin suffix -ula for its diminutive size. Molulas are quite common in tropical regions all around Eryobis, but Rubiëra appears to be especially rich in molula species, with possibly over a dozen having been observed.
The blueside molula is a quite typical molula species most easily distinguishable by its bright blue side with yellow under-borders and white stripes. Like all molulas, it has evolved four of its barbels into large and flat palps for the purpose of feeding. This adaptation is also seen in cyclopses and it is currently thought that molulas share a fairly recent common ancestor with these creatures.
Like some other molulas, it is a carnivore that feed predominately on small arthropods that live in the reefs. With their palps, they are able to manipulate their food to a great degree and have been observed using them to break the pincers off crustaceans in order to eat them without getting injured.
While we have no evidence supporting the fact, Rubiëran natives claim that molulas are poisonous to eat. It is said they occasionally rub dead molulas on their darts to weaponize their alleged toxins.
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