Crashfish (Subnautica)

Template:Class 2 FaunaThe Crashfish is a defensive fauna species found only in caves, most of the time in Safe Shallows Caves. 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 Sulphur 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 Sulphur Plant and charge at the player. If the player instead heeds the warning and backs off, the Crashfish will retreat back into the Sulphur Plant.

If the Crashfish explodes next to a Seamoth with the player inside, it can immediately destroy the Seamoth depending on proximity; however, the Hull Reinforcement upgrade partially protects against this threat. 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 swims very fast, so fast that it can even outrun a Seamoth, and can also easily catch up with an ill-equipped player, dealing severe damage to their health and also to their Oxygen level.

While the Crashfish is also scannable inside the Sulphur Plant, caution is advised when attempting this process. The easiest and fastest way 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 Sulphur 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 can be noted that when inside Alien Containment, Crashfish will not explode.

Energy Value

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×189

Data Bank Entry

This unusual species has developed an emergency defense mechanism based on mutually assured destruction. Forward-mounted Eye: Enables the creature to identify and track potential predators.   Sulfur Plant: The sulfur plant has evolved to feed on sulfuric compounds secreted by the crashfish, which makes its nest within its leaves. Stronger, more protective plants provide superior nesting grounds, which in turn provide the plant with more nutrients from larger crashfish.   Defense Mechanism: Concentrations of sulfur build up in the organism over time. If the crashfish collides with something at sufficient speed the spikes on its torso are impacted, triggering an explosive chemical reaction. Assessment: Equip stasis rifle, repulsion cannon or similar before approaching shallow caves

Gallery

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  Front view

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  Side profile

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  Dorsal view

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  Bioluminescence

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  Size comparison to the player

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  A Crashfish peeking through the opening of its plant.

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  The Crashfish preparing to strike

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  An exploding Crashfish

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  A Crashfish outside of its Sulphur Plant

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  A Crashfish being held by a Propulsion Cannon

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  Defense mechanism.

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  Concept Art

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Trivia

• The Crashfish can be used to the advantage to the player, especially if they have a Propulsion Cannon on hand.
• The old name for the Crashfish was the Crash.
• The Crashfish bears a striking resemblance to the Cacodemon from the first person shooter, DOOM. Both creatures feature of single forward mounted eye, four spikes on their heads with two more on the bottom, and red scales that cover the majority of their bodies. It is unknown whether these similarities were intentional or simply coincidental.