Riptänder

Riptänder is a fictional species of large marine predator described in speculative biology and within the fantasy setting of the Trion Sea. The name derives from rip, to tear, and tänder, a form of the word teeth, reflecting its serrated dentition.

Adults range from 2.5 to 4 meters in length. It has a stout, torpedo-shaped body, a broad head, and a dorsal fin that begins midway along the back. The jaws hold a single row of recurved, serrated teeth capable of tearing through large prey. It possesses electroreception and acute olfactory senses.

Riptänder is an apex predator in coastal and shelf waters. It usually hunts alone, but may form loose foraging groups when prey is abundant. It relies on ambush tactics near kelp forests or rocky shelves, delivering rapid tearing bites to disable prey. Reproduction is slow, with small litters after a lengthy gestation.

The species is described as inhabiting temperate coastal waters of the western Trion archipelago and adjacent shelves, with a preference for cold, nutrient-rich environments and features such as seamounts and dense kelp.

In coastal folklore, the Riptänder embodies ferocity and resilience. In speculative biology and game settings, it is hunted for teeth and studied for its distinctive physiology. In-world protections exist in many regions to preserve ecosystem balance.

In the fictional taxonomy, Riptänder belongs to the genus Riptodon, family Riptodontidae, order Selachimorpha, class Chondrichthyes. The species name is Riptänder orientis. The description originates in the World Ocean Archive's speculative catalog.