Halfmoon

Defensivesmallherbivore

Attitude

Defensive

Depth

0–400m

Scan Time

Sight Range

12m

Food

+15

Water

-5

Overview

The Halfmoon (*Moliform luna*) is a large defensive forage fish found in both the Coral Gardens and Observatory Ruins biomes. Classified as a prey species, the Halfmoon provides 15 food value when cooked but reduces hydration by 5 — making it a reliable but imperfect food source that requires water supplementation.

Habitat

Coral Gardens0–400m Observatory Ruins0–400m

Behavior & Details

Halfmoons strain plankton from seawater through a unique dual-valve system protected by a rigid beak. Their feeding and breathing systems operate on entirely separate plumbing — seawater enters through two anterior valves for filter-feeding, while spiracles behind the eyes channel water to internal gills for respiration. This separation allows them to feed continuously without interrupting oxygen intake, explaining why Halfmoons are almost always observed actively foraging.

Built for agility rather than speed, Halfmoons pack dense arrays of neuromasts across their bodies to detect water flow changes. Their anterior fins feature fenestrae (structural holes) that enable rapid direction reversal — an adaptation likely evolved for maneuvering in tight reef quarters or within dense schools of their own species. When threatened, Halfmoons engage flee-and-hide behaviors rather than any form of aggression, making them safe to approach for harvesting.

Tips & Strategy

Halfmoons provide 15 food but -5 water per cooked serving. Always pair Halfmoon meals with Isotonic Water or another hydration source to avoid net fluid loss during extended base operations.

Their fascination with bright light (a neurological quirk) makes them easy to catch — activate your flashlight or deploy a flare to momentarily fixate nearby Halfmoons, then harvest while they stare.

Halfmoons spawn in both the Coral Gardens and Observatory Ruins, giving them the widest habitat range of any food fish. You will never need to travel far from base to find protein regardless of base location.

As prey fish, Halfmoons flee when threatened but do not fight back. You can safely harvest them with no combat risk — just close distance quickly before their agile direction-reversal fins carry them away.

Halfmoon Jerky (crafted with salt) provides better food-to-weight ratio than cooked Halfmoon. If you plan extended exploration trips, process your catch into jerky at base before departing.

PDA Entry

PDA // Databank

Halfmoon (tentatively *Moliform luna*). Large forage fish which strains plankton from seawater and nibbles at small growth. 1. Prey fish Staple foodstuff for predators—has evolved several flee-and-hide behaviors. Edible, but a fabricator cook is recommended. 2. Separate plumbing A rigid beak protects two valves which draw in seawater for feeding. Spiracles behind the eyes feed water to internal gills for breathing. 3. Built for agility Body packed with neuromasts to detect water flow. Anterior fins have fenestrae (holes) to help them quickly reverse direction. May have evolved to maneuver in tight quarters or in dense schools of other halfmoons. 4. Peculiar nervous system Lacks reafference cancellation—can't distinguish stimuli caused by its own motions from change in the surrounding world. Easily fascinated by bright light—may even experience itself as causing the light. Sometimes behaves as if disoriented, swimming sideways without apparent benefit. Assessment: tolerable food source.