Merfolk Physiology

"That voice, captain. What was it?"
"The most dangerous creature in all the seas: a mermaid."

― Smee and Hook (Once Upon a Time)

"I ran into them once when I was a whaler. They may be more beautiful than any woman you have seen, but they are as vicious as a blood-hungry shark! I know. I was the only member of my crew to survive."

― Eight-Fingers Oba, Heroes of Might and Magic IV, "The Strait of the Lost"

"I sat upon a promontory, and heard a mermaid, on a dolphin's back, uttering such dulcet and harmonious breath, that the rude sea grew civil at her song; and certain stars shot madley from their spheres, to hear the sea-maid's music."

― William Shakespeare

The power to use the abilities of merfolk. Technique of Merfolk Manipulation. Combination of Taur and Fish People Physiology.

Also Called[]

Mer Body/Form/Mimicry/Physiology (Gender-neutral)
Merfolk Mimicry
Merkind Mimicry/Physiology
Mermaid/Merman Body/Form/Mimicry/Physiology
Merpeople Mimicry/Physiology

Capabilities[]

The user with this ability either is or can transform into a mer (either merman or mermaid) of the merfolk, a being with the upper body of a humanoid and the lower body (in taur-style) of a sea animal/creature (mainly either that of a fish or cetacean). Some are able to transform completely into humanoid form to move on land and some can split their tail into legs. Others have to find other ways to move while on land.

The merfolk are sometimes depicted as perilous creatures associated with floods, storms, shipwrecks, and drowning. In other folk traditions (or sometimes within the same tradition), they can be benevolent, bestowing boons, teaching or even falling in love with humans.

Applications[]

Techniques[]

Variations[]

Apex Predator (Mers are one often looked at as very dangerous higher tier monsters.)
Blessing Inducement
Curse Inducement
Decelerated Aging/Supernatural Longevity/Immortality
- Accelerated Youth and Immortality: Some mers age rapidly and stop aging/live forever, once reaching maturity.
- Immortality Bestowal: Potentially via the consumption of their flesh.
  - Healing Blood
Human Disguise
Magical Tears
- Gemstone Tears
- Healing Tears
Multiple Heads
Mystical Singing
Power Bestowal
Precognition
Supernatural Beauty
- Enchanted Allure
- Mesmerizing Presence
Underwater Invulnerability: Some mers possess inhuman durability and healing factor while in water or on land.
- Hydrokinetic Regeneration
- Underwater Strength: Some mers possess inhuman strength while in water or on land.
- Water Empowerment
Water Embodiment: Mers like the Swedish havfrue and sjörå were regarded as the spirits and rulers of their waters.
- Weather Manipulation/Magic
  - Storm Manipulation/Magic
- Water Manipulation/Magic
Weapon Proficiency
- Trident Proficiency
- Spear Proficiency
Wish Manifestation

Mer Types[]

Associations[]

Limitations[]

May have complications when transitioning from water to air.
Ability to remain out of water varies: some are completely unable to breathe air and begin immediately suffocating out of water, others are able to breathe air but need to stay wet to avoid drying, and others being able to stay on land for prolonged periods of time with little to no ill effects.
Scales and skin may dry when overexposed to the sun or artificial heat, such as fires or heaters.
May be vulnerable to certain diseases.
Lack of legs may pose locomotion difficulties on land: some are able to change between legs and fins, others cannot and are stuck with a tail even out of water.
- The "non-changers" vary in their ability to move on land, some can move upright relatively normally walking/hopping on tailfins, others slither upright across land and some have to drag themselves/crawl on ground.

Known Users[]

See Also: Mer Tropes and Our Mermaids Are Different.

Folklore/Mythology[]

Iara (Brazilian Folklore)
Dahut (Breton Folklore)
Jiāorén (Chinese Mythology)
Atargatis (Classical Antiquity)
Mermaids/Mermen (Folklore/Mythology)
Tritons (Greek Mythology)
Tskarishdida (Georgian Mythology)
Selkie (Irish, Scottish, Faroese, and Icelandic Folklore)
Merrow (Irish Mythology)
Ningyo (Japanese Mythology)
Sea Deities (Mythology)
Jengu (Sawa Beliefs)
Ceasg (Scottish Folklore)
Havsfru/Havsra (Swedish Folklore)
Sjora (Swedish Folklore)
Mari Morgan (Welsh and Breton Folklore)
Mami Wata (West, Central and Southern Africa and African Diaspora)
Olokun (Yoruba Religion)
Yemoja (Yoruba Religion)

Cartoons[]

Merna the Merhog (The Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog)
Mermaids (Adventure Time)
Saleen (Aladdin: The Animated Series)
Rainbow Cove Mermaids (Barbie: Dreamtopia)
Mermaids (Barbie: Mermaid Power)
Isla (Barbie Dolphin Magic)
Bubble Guppies (Bubble Guppies)
Cala Maria (The Cuphead Show!)
Nurenya (Daniel Spellbound)
Mermaids (Disenchantment)
- Mora
- Mermaid Queen
Sirenas (Elena of Avalor)
Meeshell Mermaid (Ever After High)
Mermando (Gravity Falls)
Amphitrite, Poseidon and Triton (Hercules: The Animated Series)
Rikki Chadwick (H20: Mermaid Adventures)
Emma Gilbert (H20: Mermaid Adventures)
Cleo Sertori (H20: Mermaid Adventures)
Merpeople (Jake Long: American Dragon)
Merpeople (Mermaid Magic)
Mermaids (Ruby Gillman: Teenage kraken)
- Chelsea Van Der Zee/Nerissa
Sirena Von Boo (Monster High)
Mer-Pups (PAW Patrol)
Mermaid Pirate (Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles)
The Mer-Boy (Rupert)
Mermista (She-Ra: Princess of Power)
Mermaid (Shimmer and Shine)
Sofia the First (Sofia the First); via Amulet of Avalor
Merpeople (Sofia the First)
Triton (Spongebob Squarepants)
"Mermaid Teenager" incidentals (Spongebob Squarepants)
Merfolk (The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy)
- Hariel
- King Triceps
- Underworld Mermaid
- Uvula
Merpeople (Tara Duncan)
Alim Coelacanth (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, 1987 TV series)
Merpeople (Voltron: Legendary Defender)
Merpeople (Winx Club)
Tsuni (Wishfart)
Muriel (Wishfart)
Dyris (Xiaolin Showdown)
Orothians (Magi-Nation)

Comics[]

Iqula of Tritonis (Aquaman)
Guy Guppy the Man-Mermaid (Babe, Darling of the Hills)
Merpeople (DC Comics)
Mer-People (Marvel Comics)
Mermaid (Marvel Comics)
Fish (Namesake)
Mermaids (Plain Jane and the Mermaid)
- Doris
- Cleodora
- Loreley
- Melusine
The Nine Daughters and Nine Castes of Aegir and Rán (Sirens of the Norse Sea)
- Blodughadda, the Siren with Blood-Coloured Hair
- Bylgja, the Swell, and her daughters
- Dröfn, the Wave, and her daughters
- Dufa, the Diver, and her daughters
- Hefring, the Surge, and her daughters
- Himinglaeva, the Wave that Reflects in the Sky
- Hrönn, the Rolling Wave
- Kolga, the Raging Sea, and her daughters
- Udr, the Foaming Wave, and her daughters

Movies[]

Aquamarine (Aquamarine)
Mermaids (Barbie and the Secret Door)
Merpeople (Barbie: Fairytopia)
Merpeople (Barbie in a Mermaid Tale)
Merpeople (Barbie: The Pearl Princess)
Nereid (Fishtales)
Merpeople (The Little Mermaid Franchise)
- Melody (The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea); being half human and half mermaid
Lily (Magic Island)
Shan (The Mermaid)
Siu May (Mermaid Got Married)
Mermaids/Mermen (Mermaids)
Merpeople (Onward)
Mermaids (Peter Pan)
Merpeople (Pirates of the Caribbean franchise)
Barnaby (Sabrina Down Under)
Finn (Sabrina Down Under)
Madison (Splash!)
Princess Mindy (The Spongebob Squarepants Movie)
King Neptune (The Spongebob Squarepants Movie)
King Poseidon (The Spongebob Movie: Sponge on the Run)
Cody Griffin (The Thirteenth Year)
Cody's mother (The Thirteenth Year)
Techno Trolls (Trolls World Tour)

Literature[]

Merkinds (Arkwell Academy)
Merpeople (The Chronicles of Narnia franchise)
Merfolk (Geronimo Stilton: The Kingdom of Fantasy)
Mermaids (The Gryphon Chronicles)
Naiads (The Gryphon Chronicles)
Merpeople (Harry Potter franchise)
Mermaids (Island of Fog)
Merpeople (The Little Mermaid)
Mermaids (Peter Pan)
Mermaids (Shadowhunter Chronicles)
Merfolk (The Spiderwick Chronicles)
Mer (The Waterfire Saga)
Sildroher (The Language of Thorns)
Lucinde Luce Leon (Upon a Starlit Tide)

Live Television[]

Li Renyu (49 Days with a Merman)
Aryana Mendez (Aryana)
Princess Neptuna (Aryana)
Mermaids (Charmed)
Mermen (Charmed 2018)
Josephine as Dyosa Agua (Dyosa)
Merman Prince (Duyung Aridinata)
Dyesebel and other merfolk (Dyesebel)
Merpeople (H2O: Just Add Water/Mako: Island of Secrets)
Camilla/Iara (Invisible City)
Shim Cheong/Se-Hwa (The Legend of the Blue Sea)
Stingfish Orphnoch (Kamen Rider Faiz); via Swimming Mode
Marina Aguas (Marina)
Urara Ozu (Mahou Sentai Magiranger); via Magi Mermaid form
Ariel (Once Upon A Time)
Ursula (Once Upon A Time)
Mermaids of Kinkow (Pair of Kings)
- Mikayla Makoola; temporarily
Madison Rocca (Power Rangers Mystic Force); via Mystic Mermaid form
Andrew's mother (Round the Twist)
Sirens (Wednesday)
- Bianca Barclay
Merfolk/Merpeople (Siren 2018)
- Ryn's Tribe
  - Ryn (Alpha)
  - Donna; Deceased
  - Levi
  - Eliza
  - Cami
  - Viv
  - Hunter
  - Sarge; Deceased
  - Mate
  - Elderly Mermaid
  - Hope
- Tia's Tribe
  - Tia (Alpha; Deceased)
  - Katrina; Deceased
- Yura's Tribe
  - Yura (Alpha)
  - Robb Wellens

Anime/Manga/Aeni[]

Razette (07-Ghost)
Marina (The Adventures of the Little Mermaid)
The Lorelei (Ah! My Goddess)
Husky (Anima+)
Sirenoid (Bakugan)
Eve (Black Cat)
Mutio (Blue Submarine No. 6)
Aqua (Di Gi Charat)
AncientMermaidmon (Digimon)
Mermaimon (Digimon)
Neptunemon (Digimon)
Aria (Dog Days)
Mermaid Demons (Doraemon: Nobita's Great Adventure Into the Underworld)
Celia (Rave Master)
Flemia (Rave Master)
Aquarius (Fairy Tail)
Lisanna Strauss (Fairy Tail); via Take Over: Animal Soul
Haruka Nanase (Free!); via 2nd ending
Namiko (Ghost Sweeper Mikami)
Merman (The Haunted House/Shinbi Apartment)
Platy (Isekai de Tochi o Katte Noujou o Tsukurou,Isekai de Tochi wo Katte Noujou wo Tsukurou)
Mermaid Princesses (Mermaid Melody Pichi Pichi Pitch)
Wakasa (Merman in My Tub)
Lulala Heine (Monster Girl Doctor)
Mermaids (Monster Musume)
- Meroune Lorelei
Mermaids (Moomin)
Lunar Edomae (My Bride is a Mermaid)
Sun Seto (My Bride is a Mermaid)
Mawari Zenigata (My Bride is a Mermaid); temporarily
All Merfolk (One Piece)
- Keimi
- Shirahoshi
- Shyarly
Stronami (One Piece:Mugiwara Theatre)
Tamao Ichinose and the Swim Club (Rosario + Vampire)
Mermaids (Shinkaigyo no Anko-san)
Oktavia von Seckendorff (Puella Magi Madoka Magica)
Golden Darkness (To Love-Ru)
Laura (Tropical-Rouge! Pretty Cure)
Mermaid (Delicious in Dungeon)
Merman (Delicious in Dungeon)
Lu (Lu Over the Wall)

RPGs[]

Merfolk (Changeling: The Dreaming)
Morganed (Changeling: The Dreaming)
Murdhuacha (Changeling: The Dreaming)
Yawkyawk (Changeling: The Dreaming)
Swimmerskin (Changeling: The Lost)
Merfolk (Dungeons & Dragons)
Merfolk (Pathfinder)
Mermaids (Vaesen)

TCG[]

Merfolk (Magic: The Gathering)
- Thassa, God of the Sea
- Svyelun, God of the Pearl Moon
- Emry, Lurker in the Loch
- Sharae, of the Numbing Depths
Marai (Legends of Runeterra)
- Nami, the Tidecaller
- Tama, the Marai Songstress
- Loto, the Abyssal Guard
- Marai Greatmother
- Journeying Sandhopper
- Rivershaper
Altergeist Meluseek (Yu-Gi-Oh!)
Amazon of the Sea (Yu-Gi-Oh!)
Cure Mermaid (Yu-Gi-Oh!)
Deepsea Diva (Yu-Gi-Oh!)
Enchanting Mermaid (Yu-Gi-Oh!)
Evigishki Merrowgeist (Yu-Gi-Oh!)
Guardian Kay'est (Yu-Gi-Oh!)
Ice Water (Yu-Gi-Oh!)
Ill Witch (Yu-Gi-Oh!)
Knightmare Mermaid (Yu-Gi-Oh!)
Mermaid Archer (Yu-Gi-Oh!)
Mermaid Knight (Yu-Gi-Oh!)
Most "Mermail" monsters (Yu-Gi-Oh!)
Rainbow Marine Mermaid (Yu-Gi-Oh!)
Red Archery Girl (Yu-Gi-Oh!)
Toon Mermaid (Yu-Gi-Oh!)

Video Games[]

Desira (AFK Arena)
Aquell (A Witch’s Tale)
Mermen (Battle for Wesnoth)
Corsair (Black Desert Online)
Marino the Merman (Bust-a-Move 4)
Irenes (Chrono Cross)
Merfolk Cookies (Cookie Run: Kingdom)
- Black Pearl Cookie
- Sorbet Shark Cookie
- Crimson Coral Cookie
- Mystic Opal Cookie
- Aquamarine Cookie
- Gold Citrine Cookie
- Starlight Mermaids
Merfolk (Coral Island)
Cala Maria (Cuphead)
Cecilia (Cursed Fables: A Voice to Die For)
Siren (Darkest Dungeon)
Rikuo/Aulbath (Darkstalkers)
Mermaids (Dragon Quest XI)
- Michelle
- Queen Marina
Biondina (Dislyte)
Merfolk (Disney: Twisted-Wonderland)
- Azul Ashengrotto
- Jade Leech and Floyd Leech
Esna (Ever Oasis’’)
Maren Beastclan (Flight Rising)
Bouillabaisse (Food Fantasy)
Surströmming (Food Fantasy)
Sweet & Sour Fish (Food Fantasy)
The Lady of the Forge (God of War: Ragnarok)
Sea Vendor Sia (Guardian Tales)
Leia (Harvest Moon)
Sora (Kingdom Hearts)
Coral (Lords Mobile)
Flameshe (Legend of Mana)
The Marai (League of Legends)
- Nami the Tidecaller
Rivershaper (Legends of Runeterra)
Merfolk (Living Legends)
- Ayrine and her sisters
- Neptune
- The Sea Witch
Splash Woman (Megaman)
Mermaid (Megami Tensei series)
Maitin (Medabots series)
Marine Healer (Medabots series)
Mairegne (Medabots series)
Pure Mermaid (Medabots series)
Kadita (Mobile Legends)
Mermaid Spearband (Monster Legends)
Undine (Monster Rancher)
Yae (Mystical Ninja)
Calliope (Nightmares from the Deep)
Mermaid form (Nobody Saves the World)
Sayu (No Straight Roads)
Nanami (Okamiden)
Marina (Omniheroes)
Lamia (Omniheroes)
Senhime (Onmyoji)
Suzuka Gozen (Onmyoji)
The Nyx (Otherworld: Omens of Summer)
Nessa (Path of Exile)
Popplio-Brionne-Primarina (Pokémon)
Peach (Princess Peach: Showtime!); via Mermaid Peach
Luke Custer's As Merman (Project Altered Beasts)
Serilly (Puyo Puyo)
Melusine (Ravenswatch)
Mermaid (Rites of Passage: The Lost Tides)
Pia (Rune Factory)
Mermaids (Runescape)
- Tentacle
- Urchin
- Anemone
- Manta
Hestia (Sdorica)
Mermaids (Shantae)
- Giga Mermaid
Seven Sirens (Shantae)
Shantae (Shantae); via Mermaid Dance
Mermaid (The Sims series)
Little Mermaid (Sinoalice)
Gill Grunt's Mermaid girlfriend (Skylanders)
Mermaid (Starfy)
Mermaids (Tactics Ogre: Knights of Lodis)
- Aerial
- Chloeri
- Berevra
Wakasagihime (Touhou Project)
Kiara Sessyoin (TYPE-MOON); as a MoonCancer
Delphinus (Valkyrie Crusade)
Havfrue (Valkyrie Crusade)
Mermaid (Valkyrie Crusade)
Mermaid Princess (Valkyrie Crusade)
Mermaid Tetra (Valkyrie Crusade)
Merrow (Valkyrie Crusade)
Ruriera (Valkyrie Crusade)
Seleya (Valkyrie Crusade)
Yumei (Valkyrie Profile and Valkyrie Anatomia'’)
Amelia (World Flipper)
The Lady of the Lake (Wizard101)
Sirens (Wizard101)
Mermaid (Wytchwood)
Mermaidyn and Mermadonna (Yo-kai Watch)
Mermother (Yo-kai Watch)