Chimeras of the Calidocene

Chimeras have been out of the spotlight for millions of years. After the oceans are emptied by the holocene extinction, chimeras are finally given the chance to carve out niches for themselves. The only chimera species to survive the holocene was the Spotted Ratfish.

Spikesnippers

Spikesnippers (genus acusvastator, needle destroyer) are a genus of Chimera found in the kelp forests of the bering sea and west coast of North America. They are the most basal group of chimera descendants. Spikesnippers evolved in response to a boom of sea urchins after the extinction of most of their natural predators, Spotted Ratfish, already accustomed to eating hard-shelled invertebrates, started to eat only sea urchins. The Spikesnipper hunts by hovering over the sea urchin and biting the spines off, when its safe to go in for the kill, they bite a hole open into the shell and suck the contents out.

Spikesnipper's mouths are on the underside of their bodies, similar to the mouth of a stingray, their mouth contains a sharp beak that grows very slowly. They share another trait stingrays as well, a barb on their tail. This barb evolved from their dorsal spine which traveled down to the end of the tail. The barb protects them since Spikesnippers are valueable to cetaceans due to the high fat content of their liver. Spikesnipper's have also made drastic changes to their eyes. Their eyes are smaller and have lost their tapetem lucidum since there isn't any need for it in shallower water. Their fins are slightly larger and can rapidly undulate their fins to hover while hunting. 

Male Spikesnippers measure at about 4 feet in length while the females measure in at about 4.5 feet. Their eggs measure at about 7 feet in length. Spikesnipper eggs are green to help them blend in with the kelp.

Hitchfish

Hitchfish (family Echeindelphinidae, dolphin holder) are a small family of Chimera found worldwide. Hitchfish get their name for the fact that they latch onto cetaceans just as the now extinct remoras did. Hitchfish rely on cetaceans because the skin that cetaceans shed constantly is a source of nutrients. Cetaceans let them stay because despite reducing their speed, they remove parasites and act as bodyguards.

Hitchfish have a flat hydrodynamic body so that they don't become too much of a burden on their main food source. They latch on with an appendage similar to a suction cup, this appendage evolved from the cephalic clasper. Their dorsal spine has moved down to the end of their tail as to not stab whatever they're attached to. This evolved completely independently from the lineage that brought about spikesnippers. If any danger threatens it, the Hitchfish will detach and attack the predator with its tail, protecting itself and its food while maintaining its unwritten contract.

Hitchfish measure in at about 1 foot in length for males and 1.25 feet in length for females.