Editing Ianthina (section)

== Aging ==
At birth, an ianthina's patterns aren't yet fully settled. Influenced by their lumen color, their skin tone may change as they grow, and it takes until several years of age for an ianthina's skin to thicken enough for their lumen pattern to become apparent. As infants, the whole child glows.

Ianthina have the longest ''potential'' lifespans, but the shortest ''average'' life expectancy of any of the species. Accidents with ice or predators tends to cut many lives short, particularly for children or anyone else who has rejected or thought themself above the Olitsken pack mentality. It's easy for an injured or ill ianthina out at sea to be swept away by currents when there's no one around to pull them home, thus causing otherwise manageable injuries to become dangerous and putting them at risk of further harm. 

Elderly ianthina heal their fins more slowly, and their lumens aren't quite as bright as they might have been while young. They also develop more sensitivity to the Olitsken cold and the pressure changes of diving, becoming more susceptible to various forms of dysbarism. Many tend to struggle with these new limits, and some fail to realize they have diving limits until its too late. Some cope by staying home and swimming less overall, which in turns weakens their muscles and puts them at risk of currents and separation from the group when they do leave home.

That said, elderly ianthina are revered in Olitskur, as they have life experience that keeps people safe and knowledge of the old traditions and oral histories they can pass on.