calamity fish

calamity fish FAUNA, in some cultures considered FAYE — A species of fish. Calamity fish are small fish with iridescent scales that are believed in some cultures to hold magical properties. Primarily saltwater fish, though some stories suggest they may also be found in fresh water, calamity fish live in large schools and, when agitated, can be very dangerous. Fishermen seeking to catch calamity fish will often push a large bull or ox into a school of calamity fish. The fish will feed on the animal as it disturbs the school. They eat until they will become so full the fish become as if dead. They float to the surface of the water where the fishermen scoop them up with nets. They still serve a threat to the fishermen, however. Some choose to kill and scale the fish immediately (since once the fish are dead, their bodies begin absorbing the iridescent properties of the scales and, as an extension, their potency). Scaling calamity fish requires special skills and tools as each scale is razor thin, incredibly tough and quite sharp. The fish are first killed by bludgeoning their head, often by hitting it on the hard wood floor or railing of the ship, and subsequently scaled. However, most cannot scale the fish while at sea. Because of this, and since killing them outright and waiting to scale them would diminish their value significantly, most harvest the fish and collect them in large barrels. After the stupor of their feast has passed, they have been known to come alive and wound or kill mates on the ship. The trade of calamity fish is dangerous, and only a handful of fishing vessels who harvest the fish exist.