Shouldn't the Aquatic 'biology' races still get a pop boost policy like carbon based races do? Silicon based and synthetic have their own mechanic, but Aquatic seems like they're supposed to be carbon based in general (though you could have aquatic silicon based).

Basically, it seems like Aquatic is missing out on the early pop boost policy if they don't take one of the abilities that add one. However, Manti doesn't have those and they generally seem to do ok, so, is it intended from a game balance perspective? There's no reason they can't have an equivalent policy given that Carbon-Based does and Aquatic doesn't really have their own mechanic. Yes, there's the shimmering depths faction, but it's not the same thing.