#finfolk

What is a "shoalfolk"? This term refers to a broad collection of finfolk worldwide. But what defines whether a species falls under "shoalfolk" or not? The term seems to have no official standardized definition, but is generally applied to any species of similar size and ecology; most shoalfolk are, as per their name, shoaling and schooling species that readily and very often cohabitate with other species and form cross-folk shoals. Most shoalfolk are also algivores or generalist opportunistic omnivores, so they don't particularly threaten each other. Teaming up with your neighbors is highly beneficial for shoalfolk, especially in the case where different folk have slightly differing niches and can cover each other's weaknesses.

Surgeonfolk or tangs are herbivorous grazers that commonly school. They are protected not only by numbers, but razor-sharp spines called scalpels on the sides of their tails. These scalpels see use in territorial fights with other surgeon shoals or during courtship competition, but also as an effective deterrant against predators, because most predators prefer not being stabbed to death. As tropical and day-active species, many surgeonfolk have striking coloration and developed color-changing abilities.

Hope this wasn't a time waster!

Lionfolk have striking coloration that advertises their toxicity. Their fins aren't just for show, as they possess venomous spines and claws that they are able to unsheathe at a moment's notice. These voracious predators commonly target smaller animals, using their webbed, fan-like hands to corral prey within strike distance.

Codfolk are the best adapted to aquatic life out of any seafolk. They're somewhat sluggish on land, but move swiftly through the water to hunt. If the sea doesn't feel very welcoming on a given day, these finfolk will use their robust claws to dig for prey on land, too. Most seafolk have lost their lateral line system, but that isn't the case for codfolk, and this allows them to have exceptional awareness of their surroundings in the water.

Parrotfolk are closely related to the wrassefolk, as evidenced by their versatile coloration. The teeth of these finfolk are fused together and adapted into a variety of beak-like structures, used for crushing limestone and raking algae off of the surface of corals and rocks. This adaptation allows parrotfolk to graze on coralline algae, polyps, and other food sources unavailable to most other seafolk.

Snapperfolk are large, carnivorous pack hunters. Unlike the predatory grouperfolk which snap up their prey and eat it whole, the snapperfolk's smaller (but powerful!) jaw is armed with sharp, conical canine teeth that are used to puncture the flesh of anything it captures before tearing it into pieces. They are also capable of effortlessly switching to a quadrupedal gait to break into a fast sprint, closing the distance between themselves and any tasty, unsuspecting squid. When talking snapper, most people think red, but these fancy finfolk have quite the arsenal of colors at their disposal (and like most other finfolk, they can also change it at will).