Ruki

The Ruki were a species of temperate, freshwater Rahi.

History
The Ruki species were originally created by Makuta Bitil using viruses and Liquid Protodermis to be one of the species to inhabit the Matoran Universe.

Due to their tolerance for multiple environmental conditions and characteristics of their life history, Ruki are widely distributed across the Matoran Universe in aquatic ecosystems. Eventually, the species integrated itself into Matoran life with relative ease, though they would occasionally tear through fishing nets and disrupt Matoran labor. Sharing an ecosystem with various other aquatic species, the Takea Sharks developed into a natural predator of the Ruki.

In Metru Nui, the Ruki population was known to have taken up residence in the Silver Sea, sometimes drifting inland into the various canals of Ga-Metru and frequently being exhibited in the Archives. Across the island, fishing practices were considered illegal and unproductive, thereby allowing the Ruki population to grow.

Following the Great Cataclysm, several of the Ga-Metru waterways became polluted, forcing the Ruki population to migrate across the Silver Sea and into an ocean current that brought them to the island of Mata Nui. Cohabiting with the Ga-Matoran populace for roughly 1000 years. During her quest to locate her Kanohi Rau, Toa Gali happened across a kelp belt being circled by a school of Ruki. Activating her Kanohi Komau, she commanded the school of fish to chew through the kelp, thereby granting her access to the mask.

In the Southern Island Chain, many Matoran communities hunt Ruki fish in shallow inlets and lakes. Typically, this activity is undertaken with tribal spears.

In the Southern Continent, fishing is a popular past time of which Ruki are a frequent objective. Often being preserved by Freeze Kanoka once caught, Ruki can be roasted and ingested by Matoran much the same as Bula berries.

Abilities and Traits
The Ruki in its wild form is generally dull olive-grey in appearance, with orange stripes extending along the back and fins, accompanied with a lighter belly. Conventionally, members of the species swim through aquatic regions of the Matoran Universe, migrating in large schools consisting of several dozen specimens.

The wild Ruki is generally tolerant of turbid, low-oxygen water and can most commonly be found in small lakes, ponds, and wetlands. The species can also be found in larger lakes, streams, and other habitats, as well.

Ruki typically eat underwater plants, sifting through dirt and silt to find food. On occasion, they will also feed on insects, crustaceans, other marine invertebrates, and Gadunka.