Poissonts

Poissonts are a genus of small reef-dwelling fish described in the fictional biogeography of the southern archipelago of Nereid. They are typically oval-bodied and inhabit shallow, sunlit waters among coral formations. The genus Poissonts belongs to the family Poissontidae, within the order Perciformes of the class Actinopterygii.

The name Poissonts is a constructed term combining the French word poisson, meaning fish, with a suffix used in the world’s taxonomy for ease of reference. In the fictional taxonomy, several species are described under this genus, including Poissonts albus and Poissonts viridis, distinguished by coloration patterns and fin morphology.

Physically, Poissonts are usually small, growing to about five to eight centimeters in length. They have compressed bodies, a single dorsal fin with soft rays, and a translucent sheen that aids camouflage among corals. Coloration ranges from pale silvers and blues to more vivid greens and yellows, often with irregular stripe or spot patterns that serve as intraspecific signals.

Habitat and range are localized to sheltered reef zones in the southern archipelago, where they feed on small invertebrates and plankton carried by reef currents. They form small, loosely organized groups rather than large schools and display modest territorial behavior around feeding sites.

Ecology and behavior include diurnal activity with peak foraging in mid-mortality daylight. They rely on visual cues for communication, and bioluminescent mucus tracts observed in some species are thought to play a role in mate recognition and predator avoidance, though detailed studies are fictional. Reproduction involves external fertilization with pelagic eggs.

In cultural contexts within the fictional world, Poissonts are sometimes cited in marine biology lore and decorative art inspired by reef ecosystems. Further reading remains within in-world field guides.