Originating from Ando, the Andoan mineral-fish represented a unique species of swimming crustacean.
These mineral-fish sustained themselves by consuming ore deposits found within the planet's deep underwater cave systems. Following the extraction of necessary nutrients for energy, they utilized the remaining metallic elements to construct a robust exoskeleton. This included a fortified armored carapace and a powerful, snapping beak. The resulting mineral-rich shells exhibited greater hardness than plasteel and proved resistant against energy-based weaponry. Consequently, they possessed substantial value; a single specimen measuring one meter in length could fetch prices reaching ten thousand credits. The exploitation of mineral-fish constituted a significant pillar of Ando's economic structure.
Typically, Andoan mineral-fish reached lengths of approximately half a meter and were encased in a dense shell. They possessed a sharply pointed, spiked tail employed for fragmenting larger rock formations, but also capable of serving as a lethal defense mechanism against predators. Additionally, they featured multiple shelled fins utilized for propulsion and the breakdown of rocks into manageable, edible fragments. Though rarely used offensively, these fins were coarse and abrasive, posing a risk of serious injury to anyone coming into contact with them. Due to the strength of the fish and their powerful fins, Aqualish harvesters would wait several hours for the fish to suffocate before attempting to extract the minerals.
The lifespan of these fish ranged from three to five years, with full maturity attained after roughly one and a half years. Mature females exhibited the capacity to lay eggs approximately every five months, yielding hundreds of diminutive, hard-shelled eggs resembling ball bearings. Females constructed nests within tranquil, shallow pools situated near the coastlines, where the prevalence of natural predators was diminished.
Once abundant throughout the resource-rich oceans of their native world, Andoan mineral-fish became a highly sought-after commodity during the conflicts between the two Aqualish factions, leading to a decline in their populations. Only after the Galactic Republic assumed the role of protector of Ando did their numbers rebound to pre-war levels. Following the Republic's fall, the Galactic Empire resumed the harvesting of these creatures. The Aqualish utilized mineral-fish as an economical means of acquiring metals crucial to their war efforts. As the Empire and the Rebellion vied for resources, the rare alloys derived from these fish proved vital to the war effort. One such alloy found within their shells was purified sedrellium, a costly, high-strength alloy employed to reinforce the hull of the Incom Corporation's X-wing fighter. Extensive fishing platforms traversed the seas of Ando in search of mineral-fish schools for harvesting. Imperial skiffs patrolled the shallow waters housing mineral-fish nests to deter Aqualish from harvesting immature specimens, while the Empire permitted unrestricted harvesting of mature mineral-fish.
The Empire would capture mineral-fish and cryogenically freeze them for transport to Uridia to be used for Imperial weapons research. The fish were then fed moon rocks in order to extract the Uridium that was otherwise almost impossible to mine.
Attempts at controlled breeding of Andoan mineral-fish yielded no success; specimens maintained in controlled environments failed to survive beyond two to three standard months, and no instances of eggs hatching in captivity were documented. Extensive research was also conducted into their bio-chemical processing capabilities, but scientists were unable to replicate this process artificially. Numerous mining enterprises invested in this research, hoping that a cost-effective artificial filtering method could be developed.