#Blue Peacock Cichlid

[subbalakshmisastry]

Blue Peacock Cichlids In Lokaranjan Aqua World / Underwater Zone Mysore

[midnightfire830]

Ironic that the day after I say I might not make more Merman AU art I end up making Merman AU art.

@charliesfavxd bc you were the one to ask me for more art. Thanks for all the asks bud! 👍

Ugggghhhh…. I hate being sick… I’m going back to bed…. ✌️

[echantedtoon]

Ocean Deep Ch13 T E N G E N

(Warnings: Mentions of killing and wounds, fighting which includes stabbing, blood/blood loss, attempted murder, implied murder at the end, etc. I'm also including a refresher on what kind of mers all of the boys that show up in the story are plus the wives-

Kyojuro would be a lionfish mer such as the one drawn by yuki2sksksk.

Tengen would be a white butterfly koi fish mer and would look like the linked post below except less eel and more butterfly koi also below.

Merman Tengen( minus the eel like features)

his tail would be more like this instead

https://images.app.goo.gl/G6CdGPbiLNgKwHTs6

his tail would be more like this instead

Makio is a Golden Dragon Koi mer

Suma is a (all blue) Halfmoon Betta Fish mer

Hinatsuru is a Strawberry Peacock Cichlid mer

Giyuu is a Pseudotropheus demasoni mer purely because I think the colors match him perfectly.

Sanemi and Genya are both bullshark mers. Same artist who drew the Mer Kyojuro.

Tanjiro is only briefly in the story and is a (green and black) Betta Fish mer

Akaza is a Betta Fish mer also by the same artist.

And Finally Obanai is a Coral Reef Snake mer specially the black and white version.

AND FINALLY A Q AND A!! You can ask me anything about the mers, this au world, etc! I'll answer all questions in the next chapter! For now just enjoy the extra beefy chapter!

taglist: @six-eyed-samurai @lavenderdrxp @jjamsbangtan @camilo-uwu @hopefulworld1

@shadyd3ar @amypop122 @azuredragonstrike

@mimisweetz @chaoticoperatorduckhairdo @staarflowerr

Remember if you want to be added to the tag list lemme know.

You had woken up surrounded by warmth.

Warmth and the sweet sound of a distant bird chirping. It stirred you into doing what you usually did in the mornings. Yawn and stretch out your arms-

"Careful! You nearly poked me in the eye."

WHAT-?!

Your eyes popped open and you squealed finding a pair of red eyes just inches away from your face. Out of instinct you squealed out again and scrambled back away from the sudden half asleep face of Kyojuro only to slip over Makio's giant golden tail and fall over onto your back.

...Well if everyone wasn't awake before they certainly were now. 

"Oh my goodness!" Hinatsuru's concerned face immediately peeked over Makio's tail and looked down at you. "Y/n, are you alright?"

A second later Rengoku perked up beside her rubbing his eyes and yawning. Suma jolted awake with a loud snort somewhere behind everyone as they all looked down at you. You groaned a hand reaching out to rub your head and slowly allowing yourself to take in what had just happened. Slowly you removed your head and looked down at your legs still half over Makio's tail. The three of them stared back at you with Suma just now sticking her head out from behind Kyojuro with the wildest bed head. You stared...until suddenly all the events of last night really kicked you good and hard in the head like grass suddenly getting squished under a falling tree. Akira. Kyojuro. KISSING!! The girls. Wife mentioned. KISSING!! You waking up in the middle of the night in Kyojuro's arms. 

K I S S I N G!!!

Your face went beat red and everyone was startled as you suddenly pulled off of Makio only to shoot up to your feet. A hand slapping over your mouth. That it-....IT ALL MUST'VE BEEN A DREAM!! YEAH!! THAT'S IT!! You were so overwhelmed by Akira showing up that you fainted, had a crazy dream, and woke up here because your friends were worried about you! Yeah! That's it! That must've been it! It was just a giant weird nightmare dream thing. You sighed somewhat even if you didn't really feel relieved.

"Honey? Are you alright?," Kyojuro asked concerning scrunching up his brows. 

"I-I'm fine," you shakily said quickly fixing your dress, "I just had t-the craziest dream with-.." You paused. Blinking before you slowly turned to look at them again. "..Did you just call me honey?"

"Do you prefer sweetheart? I'm sadly not too familiar with human nicknames for married couples but-"

"WHOA, WHOA, WHOA!! WAIT A SECOND!" You quickly held up your hands to the four of them with Suma rubbing her face and yawning widely. "Who said anything about us being married?! I thought you were only pretending to scare Akira off!"

As if they all were confused, the girls looked at one another in question, shrugged, and then all three looked at Rengoku as the defacto leader of their small pile. Sensing their want, Kyojuro took the lead as he should in Tengen's place and nodded.

"That's true. I was pretending to be your spouse in order to protect us all," he happily nodded with a large grin, "But then I proposed to you! You've been recuperating everything up to this point, it was only natural for us to take it to the next level!"

"But you've already accepted," he said confused gesturing to your hand.

Automatically you went to glance at your hand and to your horror found a shiny golden band around your ring finger and on the very front was a big green gem. Maybe an emerald? A pit immediately sunk into the bottom of your stomach as you stared wide eyed. Oh no. No no no no. That wasn't a dream?! This wasn't good! You didn't want to have this!

"I-.. You-.." You stuttered looking between their confused but happy faces to your hand a wave of emotions hitting you. Shock, fear, confusion, hesitation..but also strangely enough some flattery and intrigue under all of the big ones- You shook your head gaining a stern look. "Look. While I'm..." Flattered? Totally shocked? "..Humbled you all would find me attractive enough to want me to be your wife-" You settled on trying to be nice while also raising a hand. "-I can't be anymore than friends to you."

"WHAT?!," Suma wailed loud enough to make the rest of you wince, pushing herself higher by pushing up on Kyojuro's shoulders. He didn't seem to mind however and didn't seem phased at all by his wife's antics. "WHY NOT?! WE LIKE YOU AND YOU LIKE US!!"

"Not in a romantic sense! A-And on top of that we aren't even married! There's been no ceremony, no witnesses, and certainly no priest I know would officiate this-" And it was then that you had gotten an idea when you spotted the strand of rocks sewn into Rengoku's blonde hair. "Not to mention that you four are already married to Tengen! Remember?"

A silence was had between the four of them as they stopped where they sat, and then looked at one another. The elephant in the room being once again being addressed. You didn't forget about the obvious. Tengen was the entire reason they wanted to go back to the ocean

 "You have someone to go back to. Someone who loves you and cares about you so much that he's willing to destroy an entire town for you all."

You jumped as something calloused and firm grabbed your hand. The much larger hand of Kyojuro enveloped yours. F/c eyes looked up into deep red ones. The look they gave you was a deep longing. Nothing like the looks that other men gave you. 

"Neither do you. There's practically nothing here for you either is there? You said so yourself that there's not really much here."

"... Because the actions of selfish people and your Tengen are taking everything." 

In a matter of seconds his face dropped and eyes widened. "W-What?"

The smaller hand in his pulled away from him as her face fell. "You all were brought here by force, I get that and I don't blame any of you for that. But whoever this Tengen is is causing a lot of innocent people their lives. He's drowned people, drive tens of others away from here, and he's making it harder and harder for the people who're still here. And on top of it all I can't in good conscious involve myself where it'll probably only cause more trouble than I'm worth. " The coldness was felt when she pulled off the pretty ring and pushed it back into his hands. "Here. Take this back and save it for someone special you really want." 

The look he gave you followed by the looks of the others hurt a lot but...this was for the best. You couldn't live in the ocean with them and they just couldn't live the rest of their lives in a bathroom forever with the danger of being found out hanging over their heads everyday. No. You had to do what was best for everyone. 

"You four must be hungry." You finally broke the silence and turned. "There's some eggs and a head of lettuce left. I'll make you something for breakfast and recheck Kyojuro's wounds before I leave for work." 

By now his smaller wounds were all gone. His bigger wounds were nothing but surface cuts that would be nothing but maybe scars soon. The girls were all back at a healthy weight, and they didn't have any wounds that'd make it dangerous for them all to make the two week journey...It was decided then. As soon as you could get a horse and wagon, you'd take them all back. Even if you were unprepared, you couldn't delay it any longer. For everyone's best interest. As you left the room Rengoku was left staring so so confused at the ring. Why did she reject it after accepting their courtship? Was the ring not in her tastes? Did she not want him? Maybe she wasn't ready to be married yet? His thoughts stopped when Suma still hanging onto his shoulders hugged him tightly.

"Don't worry. She's probably just unsure because she hasn't met Tengen yet!"

"Yes! That's right! She wants to meet Tengen first!," Hinatsuru agreed smiling, "After all it wouldn't be fair unless he also met her! Don't worry!"

"... You're probably right." His hand closed back around the ring with a smile. "It's not fair for us to make a choice on their behalf! We shall wait until after they meet!"

You're head was filled with worries. Too many different thoughts buzzing around to really focus on one thing at a time. You made them something quick for breakfast and left them enough food for lunch to tied them over until you could bring them dinner...Which was impossible now because the entire butcher shop closed down three days ago when a quarter of the town packed up and left abandoning their homes and leaving for farther away towns or the city nearby. Even now as you walked along the road and looked upon the houses it was like you were walking through the remains of a ghost town. So many houses empty. So many businesses boarded up. So many people gone. Even now you watched as a man loaded up a wagon you had to pull by hand with who was presumably his wife standing by as he hauled another bag into the back. Wait..You knew those people.

It was Mr. and Mrs. Ochaco. The couple that ran the small series of fruit stands along the square.

You supposed with not enough people to buy their food, they didn't see the point of staying here either. It was like that everywhere now. No fish meant no income or goods. No goods means outside buyers wouldn't come by and bother. No income meant many people had no way to live. Without any customers their wasn't anything anyone could do about it. Which meant for a lot of people there was nothing left to do but become farmers (which not everyone could do) or leave for a better chance. 

THIS WASN'T FAIR! NOT TO YOU! NOT TO THESE INNOCENT PEOPLE! NOT TO THE INNOCENT PEOPLE THE HENYA'S GREED AND THAT MERMAN'S WRATH ENDED UP DOOMING!! 

It wasn't their fault! They didn't deserve to lose their families, their homes, their very way of life- And the reality only dropped from a pile of bricks to a boulder. As the legs carrying you came to a stop. F/c eyes widening as they took in the sight of wooden boards being hauled up on and over a window by one man as another took a hammer and nail and started hammering it into the home's side right over said window. And right in front of them both was your boss-

"M-Mrs. Satoshi?" You managed to get out finally snapping out of your stupor and began walking towards the old woman again. Upon hearing you the woman turned and looked surprised to see you there. "W-What are you doing?" Your arms gestured towards the flower shop. "What's going on?!"

Seeing the distress on your face, the old woman sighed sadly through her nose and shook her head. "Y/n, dear. I wasn't expecting you to show up again after yesterday. "

"What are you doing?," you repeated now recognizing the two men boarding up the shop as Niko and Mr. Satoshi. 

"Yes. It is surprising isn't it?" You blinked as she fully turned to you and put her hands in front of her. "I guess it was only a matter of time. I'm afraid I'm being forced to close up shop."

A shattering sound pierced the fragile ghost town's air. "What?! I-..B-But you can't!"

"There's really no other way around it. Without anyone coming to buy my flowers there's no reason for me to set up shop."

"Then..W-What are you going to do?"

"My son has enough room for my husband and I. It'll be nice to settle down and spend time with my new grandchildren and we won't be forced to leave our home. Oh, I'm so sorry for springing this on you." Her hands reached over and grabbed one of yours apologetically. "But you're still a young, beautiful woman and you have so many opportunities. I'm sure you'll be able to find something much more fulfilling than a flower shop."

"Mother, we're finished with the windows. Come rest with us."

She looked over briefly to her son before turning back to you, sadly nodded, and then left you standing there by yourself staring at the remains of what used to be your life crumbling around you.

"Y/N'S BACK!! Y/N'S BACK!!"

You ignored Suma's happy cheers and instead walked right past the bathroom door to drag yourself into your room and flop yourself down face first into your bed and just lay there. The roller coaster of emotions that you've been forced to deal with taking it's toll along with the stress and frustration you've been feeling over the past months. You lost.. everything. Your life savings, your free time, your job, most of your social life, and now even the job you loved is no more. The only things you had left was your sanity and home but who knows how long they'll last at this rate! You were tired. All you wanted was to lay here forever and just sleep the bad dream away. To close your eyes and never look back but unfortunately that's not meant to be because you could still hear them calling out your name from just down the hall wondering why you weren't joining them. 

...They couldn't stay here anymore. They had to go. And as your head lifted up from the warm, soft pillow you'd love nothing more than to lay on, you knew what had to be done once and for all. 

When night time came it wasn't really too much trouble to sneak out once again during the night once the moon was high in the sky. Even if you there still was people still left that could spot you, there wasn't too much of a risk considering there was barely anyone left to really spot you let alone come out at night. You felt guilt wracking your very core with each step you took against the dark night towards the only person you knew of that had what you need to hopefully save more lives in the end. The barn doors on Niko's property creaked slowly opened as moonlight shined inside lighting up everything inside in a pretty silver glow. 

A pretty brown and white pony turned it's head towards the dark figure standing in the doorway the pretty silver light reflecting off it's eyes. Before deciding the girl wasn't a threat and peacefully went back to chewing on the hay that was strewn about the pen. So it didn't mind a bit when the girl grabbed a bridle and approached it. It's so used to this being done so many times in its life that it didn't even put up a fight when she slipped it over his head or when she opened the door to the pen and pulled him out. Or when she took him outside looking around everywhere nervously as she took him beside the barn. Or when she made him stand still as she hooked up a familiar cart to him. Or when she pulled him along making him walk into the nearly empty town now. She only hoped Niko would forgive her for this.

You had done it. You'd committed theft. Yes. Technically this would be the third time you broke into someone's home, and stolen something but the first two times didn't count because the first time was technically a rescue mission and the second was recovering stolen property. There was a HUGE difference in now when you stole from innocent people and people you knew. You only hoped Niko would forgive you when you returned it to him a month later after you made the long trip back from the ocean. You quickly and quietly made your way back into your home looking back over your shoulder every five seconds expecting to see Niko or someone else come out of the darkness and raise the alarm for your crimes but the now mostly empty town remained quiet and peaceful..Or at least quiet. It was too eerie to be considered peaceful. You hadn't even gotten one step in the doorway when you were bombarded by a surprising sight. 

A pair of annoyed and worried tired red eyes bore into yours from in the middle of your common room. "And just where have YOU been, Young Lady?"

"Rengoku!? What are you doing?!"

Rengoku was sitting up and leaning against a wall, arms crossed, and with a stern look on his face. Uncovered and with his long fish tail all exposed for anyone to walk in or look through a window and see. "What am I doing? I'm waiting for you to come home. Where were YOU?" He challenged back raising a thick eyebrow. "You didn't come join us for dinner or come to bed and you worried me sick sneaking out so late. What were you up to out there all by yourself in the middle of the night?"

"What are you? My dad?" You shook your head with a sigh. "That's not important right now." You quickly poked your head out to peer outside but luckily the only witness to your guests was the horse so you quickly closed the door. "You do realize if it was anyone else who walked in you would've been in big trouble right?"

"That's no excuse. As the man it's my duty to make sure all of my ladies are safe and taken cared for!"

You felt a strange form of flattery at the gesture but it was shoved under by your annoyance. "I appreciate it but I've been taking care of myself since I was a child. I don't need you to risk your cover just to try and take care of me." 

"Well I can't help it if I'm worried! You didn't tell us or leave a note and-" He blinked as you just walked past him towards the hallway again. "H-Hey! Young Lady, you come back here when I'm talking to you! Where do you think you're going?"

"To get some bags and blankets." You could faintly hear the sounds of a thud and then Kyojuro dragging himself along the floors to follow you.

"Bags and blankets for what?", he called out confused. He wasn't very fast on land. 

"Food, clothes, and whatever else I'm going to need in order to get you four back home."

The dragging noises stopped when you opened the door to your bedroom. "Wait. You mean-?!"

"If you want to be helpful go wake up the others and see if you can slip yourselves into that wagon outside while I gather the supplies."

There was a bit of silence behind you as you began scouring for what you needed and then you heard loud and fast dragging again before the distant sounds of another door opened followed- "My fireflies, wake up! A joyous day has arrived at last! We're finally going home!"

You only sighed and began gathering what you needed to get for the long journey ahead. A few large bags for stuffing as much none parishable foods in as possible for your all you could find, another bag for clothing and essentials, a large gourd for water, and a couple large blankets to throw over the top of the wagon to hide the cargo. A tarp would've been preferable but unfortunately you didn't have the luxury or time for that. The sooner this was over with the better. In went three bags of mixed supplies. In went a giant heavy gourd you struggled to lift in. And finally in went the four of your friends. You found Rengoku struggling to pull himself in on his own attempting to climb up the back wheels making the wagon loudly creak under his weight. 

"SHH!! Kyojuro, what are you doing?!," you whisper yelled nearly dropping the lumpy bag of fruits and stale vegetables.

"Climbing in of course, Love! Is that not what you wanted?"

"...."

You had to take time out to literally help him climb in my lifting his long heavy tail and pushing it in. He was followed by you quietly picking up each of the girls and lowering them into the wagon alongside him. It was trickier than the last time you did this since they all had put on weight since the last time you had done this. Suma seemed the most excited and Makio had to slap a hand over her mouth as you pulled along the biggest blankets you had. With a light whooshing sound you threw them up in the air and pulled them all along until they draped over the entire back and effectively hiding the squirming mermaids underneath..Until they all popped their heads out excitedly on your left.

"I can't believe it! We're finally going home!," Suma practically screamed out smiling brightly, "I can't wait for all the yummy tuna again!"

A hand immediately shoved her head back down. "Pipe down! We're not out of this yet!"

"Wah! Kyojurooooo! Tell Makio to stop being so mean!"

"Let us all remain quiet. Makio is right and we are not out of this until we're back in our rightful home!" He blinked as the wagon jostled and you began pulling the horse along and in turn began to dragon the wagon along as well.

He was right. You weren't out of trouble yet. It would be at least a two week journey to the ocean and the road leading to it would take you all right past the Henya's home. You hadn't the faintest idea if Akira and his Aunt was still there or if he already left after the tantrum he through two days ago now. You didn't have a choice though. You had to take the chance. Stirring the horse towards the road headed Westward, you pulled him along and the horse followed obediently and successfully pulling the cart behind him. It was official. You all were off. Walking through the ghostly town early in the morning with the sun at least still three hours away from rising over the horizon. Each creak and rattle the cart made seemed to echo through the darkness making you fear that someone might wake up and catch you in the act. Each loud clip clip the horse made sending a chill down your spine that he'll attract something out from the darkness however as you all passed by abandoned home after abandoned home, no one showed their faces through the now empty buildings. And even if there was anyone left, they were fast asleep and oblivious to your journey. As you passed by the empty spaces, your friends stayed alert but quiet. Seemed even Suma knew the importance of being quiet right now. Soon the houses dwindled and you all were passing by the barn.

The Henya's farm. The place where this all started.

For you at least. Who knows where the girls were kept before they were moved here. Automatically you slowed the horse down to just a quieter slower walk as you approached the place. The shadow of the horrid barn seemed to loom over you all as you passed as if laughing and mocking them still for what they went through. You paid more attention to the house that laid still and dark. It looked like no one was home, so perhaps they had already left or maybe they were fast asleep. Either way you never took your eyes off of it as you all passed. The girls automatically lowered down with different levels of fear and worry and anger washing over their faces.  A growl made you jump and whirl behind fearing a stray dog or worse a wolf had chosen you all as an easy meal-..Only to half freeze half be relieved when you just noticed it was Kyojuro staring at the home too with such intensity that you swore his eyes were literally burning.

"Kyojuro, shush!," you sternly shushed him before quickly pulling the cart along.

It was doubtful that they could hear his soft growling from so far away but you weren't going to risk anything especially not when you just started your journey.  Despite all your feelings, the house remained dark as you passed it and stopped just outside the treeline and the road leading  into territory you've never been in. You took one last look at the quiet town and your home nestled inside, then at the Henya house, and then at the four pairs of eyes staring at you curiously wondering why you stopped. Two weeks. All it would take was two weeks and then you'd be free. With a shaky breath you turned back around and pulled the horse forward making the wagon creak along and leaving your old home behind. 

You never knew about the man who entered your empty home the following afternoon and discovered the remains of a locked box's burnt latch in your fireplace and the leftover scales in your bathroom. 

Your first day of traveling went..Ok you guessed. The sun rose three hours after you started and you four were surrounded by forest. You've already passed by the small river where the three Kocho sisters disappeared from here last autumn. Being so close near the ocean, it was always fairly warm and vibrant here but already it was nearing autumn again and soon you'd it'd be a year since they disappeared along with that Mitsuri girl. You know it was probably unlikely but you hoped that their families hadn't moved away too in case they ever came back. You stopped around midday by a small pond to allow the horse to rest and eat and drink and to give your aching feet a rest from the hours of walking around you had to do. And to allow yourself and the others to eat.

"Eat and drink sparingly. I don't know if all of this will last all of us until we make it there."

After an hour you continued until it was night, and you were plume tired. Sleep forcing you to tie the horse to a nearby tree and climb up into the back of the wagon to sleep with the others, Hinatsuru laying claim to you by pulling you to snuggle for the night.

"I can't wait for you to meet Lord Tengen. He's caring and kind and unlike any other man you've ever met."

The merman half responsible for your life going to hell? Yeah. Not going to happen but instead of arguing you just fell asleep to Suma snoring loudly again hugging Hinatsuru's other side. The next three days were pretty much the same. Walking, breaks, sleep, and rinse and repeat. By the fifth day you all hit your first snag. Surrounded by trees and forest constantly you didn't have exactly the ability to see far into the distance so when you came by a fork in the road. Both dirt roads looked exactly alike. Old, worn, and dirty. F/c looked between the two different directions unsure.

"...Where do we go?," you asked still so unsure.

"The right!" Makio pointed down the right path making you blink and look where she pointed.

"Right? Are you sure?"

She nodded blonde bangs swaying. "I remember that weird boulder there that looks like a bloated jellyfish when we were first brought this way. It's definitely right."

Bloated jellyfish?? There was certainly a misshapen rock there but a bloated jellyfish?? You decided not to argue and considering you've never been this far away, you just had to trust her so right it was. You pulled the horse that way and continued onto your journey. Three more days passed the same as nothing really changed but you were right days in now, more than half way in. Just supposedly six or so more days until you were able to reach the ocean. 

You never knew about the danger that was approaching fast with each rest and sleep you took  

By the ninth day the forests thinned out into half plains half trees. And the distant smells of salts and oceans were getting closer and stronger. Makio was right! You all were so close! You could taste the relief and freedom awaiting you all. Nine days turned to ten. The smells were stronger. Ten days turned to eleven. Most of the trees were gone now. Eleven days turned to twelve. You were so, SO CLOSE NOW! Twelve days turned to thirteen. You all hardly slept that night with the excitement. Thirteen turned to fourteen-

YOU ALL WERE SO EXCITED!! 

The four in the back could hardly contain themselves! You kept walking and walking despite your sore feet only taking a single break by a small pond to quickly rest and eat before moving on again. The sun rose, went to the middle of the sky, and then slowly started to set when you saw seagulls cawing and flying through the sky. And then you saw it. 

THE BEACH!!

THE BLUE OCEAN!!

THE YELLOW SAND!!

THE-...

.... the...You slowly came to a stop staring at what your eyes laid upon. The others initially excited also stopped what what they were doing to look shocked at what their sight beheld.

"Oh Posidon...Tengen.. what have you done?"

The setting sun's light lit up the beach and the blue ocean stretching far into the horizon as far as the eyes could see. And the destruction of others long past. The sounds-

The sounds of a torn sail flapped in the evening wind as it lazily flapped about from the broken mast ran into the ground, a mountain of splinters and what was once a majestic ship washed ashore next to it.

Clip. Clip. Clip. Clip.

The noises of the horse walking was quickly softened as the dirt turned into soft sand. Eyes bore sight of a graveyards worth of clutter. Where rotting wood met the cruel hot sand and the mocking waves that carried it here. Travesty after travesty you passed by. What was once boats of all sizes now marking the final resting place for those whom met a watery grave. The eyes gazed over each and every one as you passed. The result of greed and wrath. 

But it'll all be over soon. You just had to get them into the water and all of it would be over. So more deaths. No more Mermaids. Only normalcy.

You shivered and tried to ignore the deep claw marks embedded into the sides of a rather large fishing boat telling yourself that they were just marks from getting stuck on a reef. You pulled the horse along until you spotted a sight that you instantly recognized. A dock! An old honestly rigidity looking dock was right in front of you all leading to the water just deep enough to let them all swim without having to crawl stuck in the sand. You walked and walked until you were standing right in front of it all. The wind gently blowing your hair and the other four staring silently.

"....Well..this is it." You spoke after a minute breaking the silence and turning to them. "C'mon. Let's get you all back home."

There was a silence as no one moved for a moment just staring longingly at the sight- Kyojuro was the first one to take initiative, grabbing the side of the cart and pulling himself out only to land on the ground with a thud sound. Suma was next excitedly squealing and practically throwing herself out and desperately hauling herself towards the water. Hinatsuru and Rengoku weren't too far behind her as they too dragged themselves out. Meanwhile you grabbed onto Makio and started walking behind them with her in your arms. One, two, and three mermaids clambered onto the docks and without missing a single beat- Threw themselves off the sides without even waiting  to get into deeper water.

Large splashes could be heard as they disappeared into the blue, blending into the darkness as the darkness crept further into the sky.

"You don't have to go y'know?," Makio's voice spoke out as you watched what you assumed was Suma's tail slapping the water. "This doesn't have to be good bye. We still want you to meet Tengen! You'll seriously like him! I promise!" 

Makio watched as her face gazed at the water still, a hint of sadness as she opened her mouth to answer but didn't say a word as a reflection reflected by the limited sunlight caught her eyes. Pupils shrank as danger approached swiftly. Makio was once blinking in concern-

Then she was flying.

Makio elt weightless tumbling through the air as her world twisted and turned- AND THEN THERE WAS A SPLASH-

It's not often a person would see a beautiful beach. That was a privilege as eyes gazed out at the mournful sea. Gliding along in rows where it kissed the sand, it looked so peaceful in its dark blue colorful hue. The golden last rays was a gift delivered to the beholders by Angels and winds so sweetly staining the skin like a lover's kiss. The horizon itself looked as if it was a golden river of gleaming gold sewing itself in between the canopy of the dark twilight where the first few stars appeared twinkling like diamonds connecting it to the deep blue of the calm ocean paradise. In the distance, lines of the golden orbs last rays of tapered light splayed out, flowing through the cracks in the clouds like heaven was the one sewing the twilight to the waters with golden thread as the waters danced with sparkles, reflections from the light but it looked as if the angels made an accident while sewing the two together, knocking some stars out of the sky and making them shimmer and shine on the Water's surface.

It was beautiful.

She was so thankful for the beautiful sight. 

"If I can't have you, then I'll make sure no beast can either."

The cruelty and coldness of one's blade could never compare to the cruelty and coldness of one's heart and soul. Two bodies whom shared the beautiful sight fading from the blackened vision clouding her brain. A slide of cold metal and leakage of red stumbled, tumbled down in place of the pretty vision before them. Sweet salty air stained by copper as she stood. The cold cruel blade retreating from within her form as she stood there. The silence beckoning eyes of f/c to calmly turn. The sight of greed, dark with want toring away from the light embracing the hell within. Not but a whisper parted from her lips, the maw heavy swirling with blurs. 

"who..is the true monster here, Akira Henya?"

A distant woman's scream filled the void tilted sideways as the world tilted back and you were swallowed up by the coldness of the ocean blue and wrapped up in the warm embrace of lovers concerned. Catching her as world went black and echoes of sorrowful wails echoed throughout the voided night. The waves reverberating off the sky and cascading deep, deep into the Water's depths the waves carrying them further and further under the surface and muffled the unanswered sorrows of agony's past.

And two eyes of magenta stained red by wrath and blood opened wide.

"Y/N?! Y/N?!"

One who such went by such a name did not stir from the foreboding deadly slumber slipped into as shadows blurred and darkness swallowed them up. Sobs. Wails. Pleads. Cries. Prayers. It made not a difference to the one who had blood on his hands, staring down at the scene before him like a sick artist admiring the picture he painted into reality.

''That's right. Scream. It won't do a bit of good in the end!"

Hisses bore his fate as flames flared up at the one who would dare paint such a cruel thought into real form.

"HA! You think you're intimidating by just hissing at me like a fucking wet cat?! You're lucky you're in the bloody water otherwise you would've been gutted next like just another tuna!"

Anger. Wrath. Blood. Passion. And L O V E. All the red represents.

"Cry all you'd like..At the end of the day, no one is going to give a hell."

Oh how wrong he was. Someone did answer the cry of help.

And ironically hell had found him.

A violent rippling, rippling through the water like unholy blades through thin paper. A white ghost within the darkness rising amongst the dead and decayed ships and distorting the star covered water shining bright. It seemed as if even the great sun was scared of this beast as it hid behind the horizon and disappeared allowing night to cover it's unholy speed through the dark void and towards the docks above-

C R A S H-!!!

Feet shook as the old dock swayed, soon loosing his footing and the man found himself falling backwards onto his backside. Looking at the horror beyond that penetrated his sights. Splinters went flying. Wood cracked and flew in all directions cascading down into the water like unholy rain as something from below began pounding up and destroying E A C H  A N D  E V E R Y  P L A N K  O F  W O O D. Kyojuro out of instinct turned away shielding the one in his arms and the screaming women as droplets and wood bounced off his shoulders. The monster of ghost white passing by as a mighty tail passed them forcing the unholy rain to continue as it smashed and destroyed it's way up towards the human man. Bloodthirsty and itching for one thing 

TO ENACT VENGEANCE FOR HUMAN GREED.

Crashing, crunching, destroying ever closer to the human and then there was a splash. The iron like grip from the waves ceased him and he took a deep gulp of suffocation. The world around him wet and without any solid object to free him from the watery depths grip. Dark..Why was everything so dark?! He kicked out and flailed for nothing as the void never loosened it's grip on his air drained body. The menagerie of a shattered moon waved goodbye from the shattered waves of the seas rippling surface as he sunk deeper and deeper into the blackened abyss below that welcomed him in it's cold embrace. It's hands slowly wrapping around his body and killing him into that dangerous lullaby of death. It was .quiet. Almost even peaceful like as he drifted slowly down, down, down. He felt like falling asleep with his eye lids getting heavy. Until his flailing hand caught onto a floating board and he was able to pull himself up, breaching the surface, and gasping a breath of that holy air as he coughed out the void's water and laid himself upon the floating wood being his savior. Deep heavy breaths followed breathing in and out panting and coughing as panicked eyes eyes darted around but the darkness and waves enveloped any trace of the monster, and all others had disappeared. Nothing but shattered wood and darkness being his company. 

"You know ... There's five stages of grief." 

His form jumped against the board he floated upon eyes widening.

"Denial."

Panicked eyes darted around but he nothing within the darkness and waves or amongst the wreckage.

"Anger." 

The voice sounded ethereal other worldly. A ghost ebbing closer and closer from the depths.

"Bargaining."

The voice was blurred. Coming from everywhere and nowhere at once. Sounding so close yet so far away all at once.

"Depression."

Heart beats picked up. Swiveling his head this way and that as danger, panic, and fear set in with the unsettling doom ever approaching.

"And acceptance...But I would like to add to add one more step to that."

The water was silent. Nothing but the sloshing of his body sounding out as he desperately searched for the ghost that wasn't there but yet was at the same time. Until the hotness of something's breath wafted over his ear from behind as a voice whispered nothing but a word in his ear.

"R E V E N G E."

A man's shriek pierced the night and carried over the waves and forest before quiet settled once more. 

[dark-overlord-of-rainbows]

Drawn Nov 4 - 11 2024 My part of an idol trio with ARaccoonNamedPeacock and N8-0. The red-haired character is Kira and the blue haired one is Yukio.

I uh. really read peacock's description that read "pop group" and "girls preferred" and went "counterpoint! goth enby," huh? okok I'm joking-- they weren't requirements, and I did consider both people's designs and the rest of the description when doing my own and doing research.

So this character doesn't have a name, I haven't actually picked a gender either, but they're a panda dwarf cichlid - since I decided to go for a yellow character to fit with the others and that fish is yellow but also sometimes has red and blue which fit with the other colours.

It's not super obvious with the outfit but I did try to give this character scoliosis and the darker brown on their cheeks is melasma.

There's obviously alt influences in this character, but I was also looking at Ouji Kei specifically. I used this person's wardrobe for a lot of the reference

The colours of the top left one were my second pass I think? the first I don't have anymore but it doesn't matter they were very obviously not meant to be a final

The ones on the middle and top right are my third which I just edited today. brought some more focus on the yellow and attempted to bring the colours from the other characters into it but eh. The red is from Kira but all of Yukio's blues were too bright

The top right I simplified the design a tiny bit, since I wanted to do "maybe a little overdesigned" with mine: but also for ease of drawing and the fact that they're with two other characters they need a simpler version

I also was attempting peacock's style with that one because when designing this one I wanted it to still be different from my other characters and be interesting for myself, but also make sure that it kinda fit her style without changing too much? N8-0 will have to figure it out himself if he wants to draw them though, sorry lol

The bottom one I drew the three together for one last seeing if they fit together and making adjustments to my colours, as well as simplifying the design further/differently

I do like the extra colours but I felt like mine stood out a lot and in the middle of figuring out how simplified I wanted it I realized that the fact that this one's "the yellow one" wasn't as clear so I ended up just making them mostly yellow. It's fine anyway, Kira was the first character here so she can look more of a main character. I kept that little bit of red from kira though and ended up being able to take one of Yukio's blues for the eye there

I might change the skintone back to being a little redder and differentiate the yellows more again though, I think that's a little weird but I don't wanna look at this anymore. They've got multiple options now

[endangered-aquarium-fish]

the list!!!

every creature that's endangered or critically endangered or extinct in the wild that you can keep and breed in your own (freshwater) aquarium to stop it from dying out completely.

ive been working on this for a while and its still very not done bc oh my god theres so many-

some of these are super duper rare and expensive but others are widely beloved fish, some of them are rlly surprising to see here

pls lmk if theres anything i should add that i havent yet :3 theres a lot of undescribed species that you dont find in databases and stuff so i need all the obsessed nerds i can find to finish this!!!

not bolded = endangered

bolded = critically endangered

red = extinct in the wild (THESE LITERALLY ONLY EXIST WHERE WE KEEP THEM 0.0)

okay here it is :3

Allodontichthys polylepis - Finescale splitfin

Allotoca catarinae - Catarina allotoca

Allotoca dugesii - Bumblebee goodeid, Opal allotoca

Allotoca goslinei - Banded allotoca

Allotoca maculata - Blackspot goodeid, Blackspot allotoca

Allotoca meeki - Zirahuen allotoca

Allotoca zacapuensis - Zacapu allotoca

Amatitlania kanna - Panama convict cichlid

Amatitlania myrnae - Topaz cichlid

Ambystoma mexicanum - Axolotl

Ameca splendens - Butterfly goodeid

Amphilophus chancho

Amphilophus flaveolus

Amphilophus lyonsi

Amphilophus zaliosus - Arrow cichlid

Apistogramma lineata  

Apistogramma psammophila - two banded dwarf cichlid 

Aponogeton capuronii 

Aponogeton longiplumulosus

Astatotilapia desfontainii

Ataeniobius toweri - Striped goodeid

Aulonocara baenschi - Nkhomo-benga peacock, yellow benga, sunshine peacock

Aulonocara kandeense - Blue orchid peacock

Aulonocara maylandi - Sulfurhead peacock

Bedotia geayi - Madagascar rainbowfish, red-tailed silverside, zona

Bedotia madagascariensis - Madagascar rainbow, Madagascan rainbowfish

Benitochromis conjunctus

Benitochromis finleyi

Benitochromis nigrodorsalis

Benitochromis riomuniensis

Betta albimarginata - Whiteseam fighter

Betta antoni

Betta sp. “api api” - Api api betta

Betta burdigala

Betta channoides - Snakehead betta

Betta chloropharynx - Green throat mouthbrooder

Betta compuncta

Betta cracens

Betta foerschi

Betta hendra

Betta hipposideros

Betta sp. “jade” - Jade betta

Betta livida

Betta mahachaiensis - Mahachai betta

Betta mandor

Betta miniopinna

Betta omega

Betta pardalotos

Betta patoti - Tiger betta

Betta persephone

Betta pi

Betta rubra - Toba betta

Betta rutilans - Fire betta

Betta schalleri 

Betta simplex - Krabi mouthbrooding betta

Betta smaragdina “guitar”

Betta spilotogena

Betta stiktos 

Betta tussyae - Chukai betta

Betta waseri

Brevibora dorsiocellata - Emerald eye rasbora, eyespot rasbora

Cambarellus patzcuarensis - Mexican dwarf crayfish

Caridina dennerli - Cardinal Sulawesi shrimp

Caridina glaubrechti - Red orchid Sulawesi shrimp, red orchid shrimp

Caridina holthuisi - Six banded Sulawesi shrimp

Caridina loehae - Mini blue bee shrimp, orange delight shrimp

Caridina masapi - Towuti tiger shrimp

Caridina profundicola - Sunstripe shrimp

Caridina spinata - Yellow goldflake shrimp, yellow nose shrimp, yellow cheek shrimp

Caridina spongicola

Caridina striata - Red line shrimp

Caridina tenuirostris 

Caridina tigri - Tigris sulawesi shrimp

Caridina woltereckae - Sulawesi harlequin shrimp

Chapalichthys pardalis - Polkadot splitfin

Characodon audax - Bold characodon

Characodon lateralis - Rainbow goodeid, Rainbow characodon

Chilatherina bleheri - Blehers rainbowfish

Chilatherina sentaniensis - Sentani rainbowfish

Chindongo saulosi

Coelotilapia joka

Coptodon bythobates

Coptodon deckerti

Coptodon gutturosus

Coptodon kottae

Coptodon snyderae

Cyprinodon alvarezi - Potosi pupfish

Crenichthys baileyi - White River springfish

Cribroheros bussingi

Cribroheros rhytisma

Danio/Celestichthys erythromicron - Emerald dwarf rasbora

Devario auropurpureus/Inlecypris auropurpurea - Lake Inle danio

Devario pathirana - Barred danio

Dicrossus gladicauda

Epalzeorhynchos bicolor - Redtail shark/red tailed shark

Etroplus canarensis - Canara pearlspot

Gambusia hurtadoi - Crescent gambusia

Girardinichthys multiradiatus - Dark-edged splitfin

Girardinichthys viviparus - Chapultepec splitfin

Glossolepis dorityi - Doritys rainbowfish, Grime rainbowfish

Glossolepis incisus - Red rainbowfish

Glossolepis maculosus - Spotted rainbowfish

Glossolepis wanamensis - Lake Wanam rainbowfish, emerald rainbowfish, green dragon rainbowfish

Gymnogeophagus caaguazuensis

Halocaridina rubra - ‘Opae‘ula

Haplochromis brownae

Haplochromis ishmaeli

Haplochromis latifasciatus - Zebra obliquidens

Haplochromis perrieri

Hemichromis cerasogaster

Herichthys bartoni - Bartons cichlid

Herichthys labridens - Curve-bar cichlid

Herichthys minckleyi - Minckleys cichlid

Herichthys steindachneri - Steindachners cichlid

Hubbsina turneri - Highland splitfin

Hypancistrus zebra - Zebra pleco

Hyphessobrycon flammeus - Flame tetra 

Kiunga ballochi - Glass blue eye

Konia eisentrauti - Konye

Lamprologus kungweensis - Ocellated shell dweller

Limbochromis robertsi 

Limia islai - Tiger limia

Limia nigrofasciata - Humpbacked limia, Black-barred limia

Limia sulphurophila - Sulphur limia

Lipochromis/Cleptochromis/Haplochromis parvidens

Luciocephalus aura - Peppermint pikehead

Malpulutta kretseri - Ornate paradisefish

Mchenga conophoros

Melanochromis chipokae

Melanochromis lepidiadaptes

Melanotaenia ajamaruensis - Ajamaru rainbowfish, Ajamaru lakes rainbowfish

Melanotaenia boesemani - Boesemani rainbowfish

Melanotaenia bowmani - Bowmans rainbowfish

Melanotaenia fasinensis

Melanotaenia gracilis - Slender rainbowfish

Melanotaenia klasioensis - Klasio Creek rainbowfish, Klasio rainbowfish

Melanotaenia lacustris - Turquoise rainbowfish, Lake Kutubu rainbowfish

Melanotaenia mairasi - Lake Furnusu rainbowfish

Melanotaenia parva - Lake Kurumoi rainbowfish, sunset dwarf rainbowfish

Melanotaenia sp. “Running River” - Running River rainbowfish

Melanotaenia sembrae

Melanotaenia sexlineata - Fly River rainbowfish

Melanotaenia susii - Susi Creek rainbowfish

Melanotaenia utcheensis - Utchee rainbowfish, Utchee Creek rainbowfish

Melanotaenia sp. “Williams Creek” - Malanda gold rainbowfish, Williams Creek rainbowfish

Mesoheros gephyrus

Metriaclima koningsi

Metriaclima usisyae

Microrasbora rubescens - Red dwarf rasbora

Myaka myaka - Myaka

Nandopsis ramsdeni

Nannostomus mortenthaleri - Coral red pencilfish

Nanochromis transvestitus

Neoophorus regalis

Neotoca bilineata - Twoline skiffia

Nyassachromis boadzulu

Oreochromis alcalicus - Soda cichlid, common natron tilapia

Osphronemus laticlavius - Giant red tail gourami

Parananochromis ornatus

Paretroplus dambabe

Paretroplus maculatus - Damba mipentina

Paretroplus menarambo - Pinstripe damba

Paretroplus nourissati

Parosphromenus alfredi 

Parosphromenus anjunganensis

Parosphromenus filamentosus

Parosphromenus gunawani

Parosphromenus harveyi

Parosphromenus linkei

Parosphromenus opallios

Parosphromenus ornaticauda

Parosphromenus pahuensis

Parosphromenus paludicola

Parosphromenus phoenicurus

Parosphromenus quindecim

Parosphromenus rubrimontis

Parosphromenus tweediei

Phallichthys quadripunctatus - Four spotted toothcarp, four spotted merry widow

Placidochromis phenochilus

Poropanchax/Congopanchax myersi - Hummingbird lampeye

Pseudomugil connieae - Popondetta blue eye

Pseudomugil furcatus - Forktail blue eye

Pseudomugil ivantsoffi - Ivantsoffs blue eye

Pseudomugil luminatus - Red neon blue eye

Pseudomugil mellis - Honey blue eye

Pseudotropheus cyaneorhabdos - Maingano cichlid

Ptychochromis insolitus - Mangarahara cichlid

Ptychochromis oligacanthus

Pungu maclareni - Pungu

Priapella olmecae - Olmec priapella

Quintana atrizona - Barred topminnow

Rocio spinosissima

Sahyadria/Dawkinsonia denisonii - Denison barb, red line torpedo barb, roseline shark

Sarotherodon caroli - Fissi

Sarotherodon knauerae

Sarotherodon linnellii - Blackfin tilapia

Sarotherodon lamprechti

Sarotherodon logbergeri - Keppe, keppi

Sarotherodon steinbachi - Kululu

Scleropages formosus - Asian arowana

Sewellia marmorata

Skiffia francesae - Golden skiffia

Skiffia lermae - Olive skiffia

Skiffia multipunctata - Spotted skiffia

Skiffia sp. “Sayula” - Sayula skiffia

Sphaerichthys vaillanti - Samurai gourami, vaillants chocolate gourami

Stomatepia mariae - Nsess

Stomatepia mongo - Mongo

Stomatepia pindu - Pindu

Tanichthys albiventris 

Tanichthys albonubes - White cloud mountain minnow, white cloud minnow

Tanichthys micagemmae - Vietnamese cardinal minnow, Vietnamese white cloud

Teleogramma brichardi

Tilapia guinasana - Otjikoto tilapia 

Trigonostigma somphongsi

Vieja hartwegi - Tailbar cichlid 

Xenoophorus captivus - Relict splitfin

Xenotoca doadrioi - San Marcos redtail splitfin, San Marcos redtail goodeid

Xenotoca eiseni - Redtail splitfin, Redtail goodeid

Xenotoca lyonsi - Tamazula redtail splitfin

Xenotoca melanosoma - Black splitfin

Xenotoca cf. melanosoma 

Xiphophorus andersi - Spiketail platyfish

Xiphophorus couchianus - Monterrey platyfish

Xiphophorus meyeri - Marbled swordtail

Zoogoneticus tequila - Tequila splitfin

[mistfallenjoyer]

Have I talked about all the little critters Lucy has?

Because she's got a bunch of little critters! (underneath the cut is mentions of insects, reptiles, and other little guys. If your OC has problems with insects or snakes and is possibly friends with Lucy, they really shouldn't venture into her home stable.)

In the home stable, she's got an entire reptile room (mainly insects, but she's got some cool lizards and snakes, too.) in that little room that's in there.

She mostly keeps different spiders, roaches, amblypygids, and centipedes! She also has a carpet python, a blood python, and a uromastyx (spiny tailed lizard)! Basically :)) she's living MY best life. Lucy isn't a self-insert but I did INSERT MYSELF into her interests.

And in her HOME HOME, she has fish and birds! Two lahore pigeons (blue bar and yellow colorations) normally stay in her bedroom. And a big community tank in her living room that has all kinds of little fish but the big statements of her main tank are peacock cichlids.

She has other, smaller 10 gal tanks, too! Those tanks are scattered across her house and normally have shrimp or bettas in them. (sometimes both if the betta has a calm temperament)

[kingofaquariumsyt]

Electric Blue acara, Jewel cichlids, Convict cichlids, Peacock cichlids ...

[ffxivfisher]

Size Records 2.0

LARGEST FISH IN EACH CATEGORY Fishing Coastlines - Coelacanthus (AAA) Rivers - Xenacanthus (AAA) Lakes - Listracanthus (S) Deep Sea - Hafgufa (S) Sands - Ambling Caltrop (S) Floating Islands - Basking Shark (AAA) Skies - Shonisaurus (AAA) Magma - Problematicus (AAA) Aetherochemical Pools - Lunar Deathworm (S) Salt Lakes - Stethacanthus (AAA) Space - Phallaina (AA)

Spearfishing The Ruby Sea: Small - Mini Yasha, Red Gurnard, Pipefish (AAA) Average - Othardian Wrasse (AAA) Big - Kitefin Shark, Uzumaki (AAA)

Yanxia: Small - Dragon Squeaker (AA) Average - Fangshi (AA) Big - Icthyosaur (AA)

The Azim Steppe: Small - Soul of the Stallion (AA) Average - Fickle Krait (AA) Big - Flamefish (AA)

The Lochs: Small - Diamond Dagger (AAA) Average - Pale Panther (AAA) Big - Platinum Hammerhead (AAA)

Norvrandt: Small - Glorianda's Tear (AAA) Average - Blue Mountain Bubble (AAA) Big - Bothriolepis (AAA)

Thavnair: Small - Tbqeyiq Smelt (AAA) Average - Atamra Cichlid (AAA) Big - Xiphactinus (AAA)

La Noscea: Small - Lakeskipper (AAA) Average - Striped Peacock Bass (AAA) Big - Nosceasaur (AAA)

INFORMATION Fishing

When S values are added, fish that existed prior do not meet them. New fish from the point the value is added and onwards will meet them instead.

S values do not exist everywhere; the table below specifies where they do and don't.

Coastlines and Rivers have no fish that meet their S rank value as far as is currently known.

S in Sands can also be The Horned King or Thorned Lizard.

S in Deep Sea can also be Elasmosaurus.

Spearfishing:

S values do not exist anywhere.

Prior to EW AAA only existed in Norvrandt. They exist in Ilsabard (Thavnair) and La Noscea which is are new spearfishing zones in EW.

The Ruby Sea and The Lochs have AAA due to the zones getting new holes in EW.

AAA values are the same for the sizes between every zone except The Ruby Sea, which has a slightly larger AAA.

MINIMUM VALUES

[midnightfire830]

How big is lion fish cuphead and what does he eat ,is he omnivore or carnivorous,does mugman exist in this au?????? Please answer 😭🙏🏾

Merman Cuphead is around, idk, lets say 7 feet long minimum. Him and his pod (the other questers) are omnivores. They eat a lot of fish, shellfish, and seaweed among other things.

Mugman does exist in this AU, in fact all the questers do, I just haven’t gotten around to drawing anything. (The Cuphead drawing was an old design I made but never finished bc motivation left me high and dry. Then after watching a YouTube vid of mermaids I got a sudden burst of motivation to finish it.)

I can, however, tell you what fish species I will be basing Mugman after! I’m tossing between two ideas a Blue Peacock Cichilid or a Blue Tang.

If I go with the Cichlid He’ll look like your more standard merperson. With the Blue Tang the tail is a little different and the markings might make some changes. So. Yeah.

Personally I’m leaning more towards the Cichlid bc I’m obsessed with the colors and the opportunities it gives me in drawing. Idk. We’ll see!

Thanks so much for the ask! I’d be more than happy to answer any other questions you have!

[floridafishkeeper]

@the-lonelyshepherd I'll make my advice Florida specific here but I highly recommend people join me on FB at North American Native Fish Keepers to have a community resource for the general whole of North America. You can also private message me here or there if you're in Florida looking for advice.

So in Florida the first thing you need to have as stated is a fishing license if you're going to be in saltwater or collecting from a boat you may need additional licenses, there is an easy app for this on the FWC website you can get a free regular state fishing license as long as you are resident from local bait shops and Walmarts.

In Florida most of our non-game fish species can be collected with dip nets, cast nets, and traps. Non game fish includes things like killifish, live bearers, invasive cichlids (excluding peacock bass), most other invasives and other small innocuous shiners, darters etc.

In Florida game fish must be taken through legal means even if you're taking small ones to collect. The fish must meet slot regulations when collected, and in most cases needs to be taken with hook and line. In Florida it is important to know that game Fish includes the majority of our Sunfish all the way down to Dollar sunfish something that you wouldn't typically consider game.

You need to check the fwc's prohibited species list to see an up-to-date list of species that you are not allowed to take as far as invasives go. It's pretty short as far as fish go but basically piranha, walking catfish, snakeheads, green sunfish, and any species of tilapia that is not a production species (Mozambique, blue, Nile). These species must either be returned immediately to the water or disposed of. Any invasives not on the prohibited list are legal to take without limitation and typically by any means legal in the state. This includes things like plecos, jack dempseys, live-bearers etc.

You also want to look at the list of protected species of course but it's not a super hard one to memorize for Florida. I always recommend taking pictures on location getting identifications on the spot or coming back later to recollect after you have grabbed an ID.

In general though the vast majority of fish that you're going to find in a small ditch or pond in the state of Florida aside from bass and Sunfish are legal to take with a dip net. If you want to get started right off the bat I would say find any local ditch that's currently full of water and run a dip net through it and see what you get you should see things like mosquito fish, Molly's, least killifish etc in locations like that but sometimes you'll find stuff even more rare.

My favorite resource for figuring out where to find individual species in your area is INaturalist. This is a very easy and very free to use app that has been well documented here in Florida so there are up-to-date population locations and all you have to do is search your area and you can see every single species of fish and where it's been collected with surprising accuracy.

If you live in the city I recommend opening up Google maps and using satellite mode to find small ditches and bodies of water and drainage systems that might be running through the city these are excellent places to go and look for fish.

Killifish and live-bearers are definitely the small staple of Florida along with a handful of shiners and slack water species. You'll also be looking for the beautiful pygmy sunfish and dwarf Sunfish species. Nothing beats the first time you catch your first melanistic golden ear topminner though!

what’s the best way to get into native fishkeeping? currently have 3 running tanks but no native species and im really interested in starting a native tank (florida based) but its really hard to find the resources to figure out how to get started 💔💔 any help would be appreciated :))

First thing I'd do is get a fishing license! Catching and keeping native fishes starts there. Make sure you pick up a copy of your local fishing regulations and read through them. Learn what is legal and what isn't - sometimes things like the number of specimens of a given species or method of catching are regulated. Always follow your local laws!

Second would be to learn what fish species you have locally. Just because a species is native to Florida doesn't mean you'll have easy access to it. I suggest you go wading in local creeks, streams, and bogs and see what you can find! Just uh watch for snakes and gators. I've stumbled upon a few while down your way. Maybe also look into iNaturalist to see what fish can be found in your area too.

Third, think about the biotope you want to try. You have great freshwater, brackish, and saltwater options. Don't overlook your native killifish and livebearers! Eastern Mosquitofish are somewhat drab in most areas, but in FL you can find a very handsome black and white marbled variant. They really stand out! Our Fundulus killies are all winners too. But the native burrfish, damsels, and sunfishes are all neat too!

Fourth, pick up a book on native fish keeping for some ideas. Our Native Fishes by John Quinn is a good one I like.

Maybe ask @floridafishkeeper their thoughts! They seem to be very knowledgeable on the local species.

[echantedtoon]

Ocean Deep Ch16 Miscommunications And Escape Plans

(Warnings: Mentioning of Yn's wounds and Koyuki's illness.

I bring food to all you Tengen simps. Also a quick recap of the Mers fish tails because someone asked me to add them as they forgot. I also included the other boys so everyone's caught up.

Kyojuro is a lionfish mer such as the one drawn by yuki2sksksk linked below.

Tengen would be a white butterfly koi fish mer.

Makio is a Golden Dragon Koi mer

Suma is a (all blue) Halfmoon Betta Fish mer

Hinatsuru is a Strawberry Peacock Cichlid mer

Giyuu is a Demanson's Cichlid mer purely because I think the colors match him perfectly.

Sanemi and his family are bullshark mers and look like the link below. Same artist who drew the Mer Kyojuro.

Akaza is a Betta Fish mer also by the same artist linked below.

And Finally Obanai is a Coral Reef Snake mer specially the black and white version.

taglist: @six-eyed-samurai @lavenderdrxp @jjamsbangtan @camilo-uwu @hopefulworld1

@shadyd3ar @amypop122 @azuredragonstrike

@mimisweetz @chaoticoperatorduckhairdo @staarflowerr @aleee-386 @summrwalkr

@nicora04 @miniverse-zen

Remember if you want to be added to the tag list lemme know.

Your eyes widened. 

A pair of puckered lips came at you-

And warmth hot your face as your hands quickly covered your mouth and Tengen ended up kissing the back of your hands. The feeling of something that wasn't your lips caused him to blink his eyes back open and blinked just inches away from your wife eyed red face.

He blinked before pulling away and giving you an annoyed pout. "Hey! What gives?! I caught you fair n's square!"

You could only stare up red faced and blushing. "W-What the heck is wrong with you?!" You stuttered out muffled by your hands still firmly clasped over your mouth. 

"Me? You're the one who decided to tease me and ran away! Now I caught you and now you I kiss you then you chase me..Or I can just chase you again if you prefer.~" You did NOT find the playful smirk he wore handsome and you did not squeak when he growled out. Rubbing his nose into your hands and letting out a content sigh. 

In the distance behind you somewhere, there was a loud splash like someone hit the water in anger before cursing. "FOR FUCKS SAKE!! FIRST THE BETTA THEN THE FLASHY FUCKER!! HOW THE HELL ARE THEY HAVING MORE LUCK THAN I AM?!"

You could barely make out the angry shouting. You couldn't see anything past the giant torso- HOLY SHIT HIS MUSCLES WERE HUGE!! You were terrified of his size and build before because of all the damage he proved he could do but now-

"My eyes are up here, Darling.~ My chest doesn't talk..Well not in same way my mouth does.~" You could've fainted right then and there when he intentionally made his muscles flex.

She gave the most attractive squeak as a strong hand found itself suddenly holding her hand, strong enough to pull it was Your mouth as his other arm had no problem holding you bridal style against him. A deep hum escaped the man as he pressed a closed eyed kiss to the delicate skin. Strong calloused fingers slipping between smaller delicate ones. Warm breath sending goosebumps along the soft flesh giving way to a shiver as he smiled wider against the flesh. Again. Again. His lips were pressed against the hand until eyes opened and found himself sighing in content. Goosebumps spread under his touch as a hand gently placed itself under her chin, claws gently dragging along the skin as he directed her head too him. A shiver from her body, warmth caressing her face as orbs shrouded by deepened desire and half lidded by a want. 

Warmth spread across her face and a moment later lips melted into a kiss. He made no comment back. Embracing the woman against his chest tightly and deepening the kiss, his embrace increasing slightly. Smaller hands found themselves gripping the front of his haori. Everything blurring and unimportant, the only thing that mattered was this woman in his grip. Her everything. His everything.

T H E I R    E V E R Y T H I N G.

Suma's. Hinatsuru's. Makio's. Kyojuro's. All thiers. Her sweet lips. Her beautiful smile. Her shining eyes. Her soft touch- A shiver ran through her under his hands when one hand found the side of her cheek, a rumble from his chest showed amusement much to her embarrassment. He had her right where she was supposed to be, in his arms and his own-

Until a distant woman's scream sounded out.

"UZUI!!"

You turned away from the warmth slightly to peer up startled at the surroundings although that didn't deter the merman who continued trailing kisses from the corner of your lips to the bottom of your left cheek, white hair tickling the left side of your face. The form of a highly concerned pink eyed woman rushing towards you both.

"K-Kanae-"

"Eh. Ignore her."  A hand gently tugged your face back towards him and once again your lips met-

Until another scream pierced the air making you turn away from him again as he trailed after you but stopped when you placed a hand over his mouth. "S-S-STOP!!"

He blinked as you pushed his head away from his own flushed worse than a school girl getting kissed by her crush for the very first time. ..Until his free hand reached out to gently touch yours and kissed the inside of your palm gently. Making you jump.

"TENGEN, PUT HER DOWN!!", Kanae shouted almost panicked as she rushed over towards you both. Picking up the hem of her dress and kicking up sand as she skidded to a stop in front of you both. "BAD MERMAID!! PUT HER DOWN!!" 

You squeaked out loudly when you were suddenly grabbed by Kanae and yanked free from Tengen's grasp and you stumbled onto your feet, nearly falling over on your stomach if Kanae hadn't pulled you back upright. Her face twisted to an angry scowl to Tengen before snapping a concerned look at you.

"Y/n, are you alright?," she asked as you clutched at your chest.

Your heart was hammering like a herd of wild horses stampeding, and your face burnt like a fire was lit under your skin. And you were pretty sure you were shaking because your legs felt like jelly you canned. "....I t-think m-m-my life flashed before my eyes."

"Ah! I'd expect nothing but that kinda reaction from my flamboyant kisses." Kanae shot the merman another scowl as he winked. "I'm a very well experienced lover- HEY!!" He sputtered and leaned back down on his belly to avoid the wave of sand cascading over his head from a woman's foot. "What gives?!"

"SHOO!! ALL OF YOU GET!!" Kanae shooed her arms at Tengen giving him another kick of sand when he didn't get moving. "Go on! You scared her half to death chasing her down the beach like that! Shoo!"

He gave a small cat like hiss when the sand hit his scales. "Hey! Lay off! She initiated courtship first- AH! ALRIGHT WOMAN!! You sure enjoy taking the fun outta love y'know that?"

Tengen gave another puppy dog kicked look at you..but turned and started dragging himself back across the sand and towards the water. She held her annoyed frown watching him until he slipped into the water his tail giving a few snacks to the surface before her gaze then turned towards the left and narrowed at the other mers around her.

"That goes for the rest of you too! I won't have anymore trouble from you today." More shooing motions from her hands were made towards. "Go on. Shoo, shoo, shoo! Back to the ocean with you."

You shakily looked up from where you stood, and froze as at least three other mers besides Tengen were staring at you all. THERE WAS MORE OF THEM!? You jumped as the long snake creature hisses lowly but turned and disappeared slithering behind the large rocks he laid on. The second one who had white hair and large pointed ears gave her a look of pure hurt, as if he actually was physically hurt by her words.

"But..Kanae, I-"

"Sanemi, just-..!" Her head turned away from him and her eyes closed refusing to look at him. "Just go home! Go away and leave me alone already! Y-You've done enough!"

There was a silence as the mer in the Water's eyes widened and.. became slightly watery. Before he let out a growl and with a loud THUNK disappeared back under the blue surface. You could vaguely make out his greyish form quickly swimming away towards the south before he vanished completely. Another splash made you look further away and saw Shinobu waving a hand at the water as ripples temporarily distorted the rolling waves. There was nothing but silence for a moment until something suddenly appeared in front of you making you jump as Kanae's frowning face appeared before you annoyed.

"Where were you this morning?", she demanded in a tone harsher than her soft face executed,arms crossed. "You worried Koyuki sick with pulling a stunt like that! It's very dangerous here if you aren't careful!" She gazed over your nightgown as you still clutched it. "And you're all soaked! Did Tengen do this?"

"N-No!" You quickly held up your hands in the merman's defense. "I fell in myself. I-It's a long story. A-Actually he's the one who helped me get back up. "

"Well don't you run off again! You're in enough trouble as it is-" She stopped noticing a familiar white haired jewel covered head bobbing in the water suddenly being joined by a head of firey hair and three ladies.. She grabbed you hand with a jump and pulled you quickly towards the large house. "Inside quickly."

"Y/N'S BETTER!! LOOK!! Y/N! Y/N! Y/N!," You heard Suma's unmistakable voice calling behind you but surprisingly Kanae was quite strong for a petite girl.

You were quickly pulled across the beach, up the few steps, and straight through the open door by Kanae as her sister calmly followed behind you both much slower. You were stopped only when you were pulled into the room Koyuki was still in, only this time Mitsuri and Kanao was there too. By their position you guessed they were watching the skirmish outside from the window. 

"This is serious." Kanae let go of your hand matching back into the hallway muttering to herself as Shinobu finally walked in with her slow pace. Watching calmly as her sister walked by and stuck her head out the door to make sure no one was there before sliding the door back shut licking it in the process. "At this rate none of us will be able to go home, and all of our hard work will be jeopardized."

Her footfalls came back up towards the hallway and once again reappeared. Everyone watched as she stepped to the window and locked it as well before drawing the curtains dosing most of the light just as Shinobu walked in too.

"Kanae, calm yourself."

"I am calm. I'm also just really worried!", she frowned at Shinobu who hummed before looking towards you.

Her eyes looked you up and down raising a brow at how soaked and covered in sand you were. "Let me guess. She tried running off the island."

You blinked. "How'd you know?"

"We did that the first day we were brought here." Another hum. "..I think we should explain it to her. It's obvious she's involved like us so it'd save everyone else the headaches."

Kanae slowly sighed and nodded in agreement. "You're right but first let us get her cleaned up and into some warm clothes."

Twenty minutes later you were happily seated in a circle on the floor, in a normal dress, and had your hair wrapped up in a towel as everyone else sat still. Mitsuri was nice enough to make everyone some tea and handed you a cup after Shinobu looked over your wounds again to make sure you were still alright.

"Thank you." She smiled at you brightly as you took the cup of green tea from her. "I didn't know that tea leaves grew on the island." 

"They don't. We just found a few sealed tins of it in the back," Mitsuri clarified.

"Well we should be getting back on topic." Kanae gave a glance from where she stood out into the hallway. It must've been noon by now. She closed the door and locked it too, nevermind the front door was also locked and turned back towards you all. "Alright. Straight to business then." Her look could cut diamonds as she looked at you. "How'd you come to be here?"

You blinked. "Didn't they already tell you? I was attacked by a crazy stalker and they apparently brought me here. I don't even know exactly where here is from the coast still."

"How'd you meet those mers out there?," she pressed harder.

You frowned now. Didn't they tell them that too? Maybe they just told Tengen? "I found them by accident in someone's barn except for Kyojuro. I found him washed up along the river while fishing."

Shinobu turned to her sister with a smile. "That matches up with what we were told. She's alright to talk to."

Kanae nodded still not looking away from you. Instead she slowly sat down by Kanao. "That's good. Then we won't bother you with anymore unnecessary questions." Thank goodness for that at least. "Y/n what happened between you and Tengen while you were gone?"

You paused raising the warm cup to your lips to blink at her. "Oh that?" You shrugged. "To be honest I don't exactly know. He kinda just went crazy and started chasing me down the beach like I was a full course meal or something! By the way-" You pointed at her giving a deadpanned look. "-nothing with a fish tail should be allowed to crawl that fast on land. It's a freak of nature!" Mitsuri giggled at your response and you shot her a frown.

"Well what were you doing before he did that? What did he say? It's important."

You hummed slowly removing your stink eye from Mitsuri who still looked amused. "Well, I fell in the water and he was nice enough to get me out. And then we mostly talked. He's very braggy that one."

"That definitely sounds like the fish. All glitter no brains."

You resisted laughing at Shinobu's description of Tengen and just nodded. "Yep. That's him. He said he just wanted to apologize and make sure I wasn't dead and thank me for helping them." You shrugged again making sure to take a long sip of your drink before continuing. "Oh. I also got him to promise not to sink anymore ships so that's something."

"What happened just before he started chasing you?" Shinobu rose a brow. "You must've done something to get him excited."

You thought about it for a long moment. "...Nothing really. He joked about me using CPR as kissing so I told him I'd never kiss him if he was going to be like that but im different words." It was then the five other girls gave each other wide eyed looks. "...What?"

"Y/n. Did you tell him that in a normal way ..or were you teasing him?"

You blinked. "We were joking around. He's the one that got in over his head."

"Oh..Ooh no."

"Oh no what? What's going on?"

They slowly looked at one another before Shinobu inhaled. "I'll just come right out and break the ice!" She clasped her hands and turned back to you with a strained smile. "Y/n. Mermaids play chase with each other when they're romantically interested."

There was silence in the air as everyone looked between Shinobu and you.

You stared widely. "...What?"

"And his teasing you was in actuality his way of flirting with you. In his point of view you were totally flirting back."

"WHAT?!" The cup nearly tumbled from your hands.

"Did any of the others try any certain behaviors when they were with you?" Shinobu continued casually as if you weren't in total shock. "Grooming behaviors such as combing hair? Or maybe they tried to feed you something?"

"I-...W-Wait! What the heck was that last bit you dumped on me?!"

"Answer the questions please."

"Y-Yeah..All of that actually but what has that have to do with me?!" 

"Did any of them try giving you anything? Like maybe seashells or fish or even something valuable?"

"I-"...You paused. Eyes going wide when you remembered a certain fire haired merman and his ring. "Oh gods... Kyojuro tried proposing to me- B-BUT I GAVE HIM BACK THE RING AND TOLD HIM NO!!"

"Well good news! They don't think you're married! However they probably think you're most definitely interested."

"What? But how?! I clearly didn't want anything and I told them that!"

"You see that's the problem. They don't have the same understanding as we do. I think you should take a look at the book we found. It explains everything!"

"Book? What? You were so confused right now. First you were talking about Mermaid coupling and now a book?

You didn't get much of a say before you were just handed over a book. A blue covered book by Koyuki who practically waved it in front of your face. You blinked before leaning back to take in the faded words carved and then inked into the cover. ..'A Researcher's Guide To Magical Creatures And How To Avoid Them Vol. 1.' ... You rose a brow and turned to Koyuki and then back to the two sisters.

"We found it on one of the shelves while we were looking around. We think a researcher left it here on the island while studying them. It's been really helpful in guiding us around this trouble. Opening it to chapter five."

You still didn't know what to think about this, but decided that you had nothing to lose, so the half empty cup was slowly placed down onto the floor next to you and your hands slowly took the book from Koyuki giving her a small thanks. ..F/c eyes looked at the book, then at the girls, then back to the book.. Before hands slowly opened it and started flipping through the pages. Chapter one centaurs. Chapter two elves. Wow. This was a pretty thick book. Every chapter must've been at last a thousand pages each. Chapter three- Ah. Here we go. Mermaids and Sirens. Apparently there was a difference??

"Skip to like fifty pages in." Koyuki pointed out to you.

..Ok. If it'll get you answers faster. You flipped through about that much until bold words on top of one page in particular caught your eye. 'Courtships And Pod Units.' You gave another glance at Koyuki to confirm this was the page she wanted you to read, and began reading once her smile confirmed it.

'In all my years of studying these water dwelling beings and their habits and habitats, it was very difficult to study something that lived somewhere where no human could really go. Luckily the individuals of this isle were able to trade certain items for certain favors from the local population. Intrigued by this strange ordeal, I traveled to the smallest of these isles and brought gifts of simple jewelry and exotic foods such as jerkied elk meat and raw steak that usually they are unable to get their hands on.

I was extremely lucky and found a rather unpleasant large great white mer and his eight wives. Two of which seemed to be koi fish in origin with their tails while the others varied from other shark based mers to more tropical colorful coral reef fish. The male seemed rather hostile to me at first and refused contact until I offered the gifts in trade for info.

It seems like the rarity of the meats intrigued him enough to change his mind and agreed to answer some of my more difficulty answered questioned.'

EIGHT WIVES?! Wow. And you thought Uzui had a lot of partners. You briefly wondered if this merman was the one Tengen was referring to when he mentioned taking over this territory before reading more.

'While he himself was unpleasant, his wives were all very polite and sweet women who gladly answered my various inquiries while trying on the simple bronze jewelry and passed around the meat. I've noticed first in behavior between pods are different. The last pod I interacted with was a small pod of two husband and their wife whom was the pod leader and had at least two children present.

The female accepted my last gift of delicious ribs in exchange for a few of their lose scales to study. The order she fed her family was her children first, her husbands second, and then herself as leader last. I thought this order applied to all pods until I met this unpleasant fellow. Instead of feeding his wives first, he snapped and hugged most of it to himself. Gluttonous man to say the least. So it seems while the heirchy system is the same, not all pod leaders are generous to their spouses.'

Talk about rude and selfish!

'While not in depth I've managed to get a very good chunk of information that I'm sure will help future generations navigate the waters surrounding these fantastic creatures. The main bulletins are certainly good to keep in mind especially for wondering maidens getting close to the shoreline.

-If a mermaid/merman wishes to court another then they usually do things to show their worth. Example being bringing back big game like a seal or shark to prove they can provide food or gifts of polished shells or jewelry to show off wealth. Sometimes they'll even spare with a love interests' family member to show off strength.

-The type of courting habits depends on the type of mer or water creature they are. For example:

Seal mers, or selkies as they're called, will offer their potential partner an opportunity to touch their seal skin while in human form as a sign of trust and interest.

Shark mers will often show off scars and bring back large prey to present to a potential mate to show how fiercely they can protect.

Crustacean mers will offer dances being crab/lobster mers.

Sea dragons might offer a piece of their treasure hoard or recite poetry or knowledge.

However the most common signs of courting is offering valuable resources/objects. But again it varies from water creature to mer.

-Mers don't really have a concept of monogamy or polygamy. Some just prefer one life partner while others sometimes have multiple partners. It's not uncommon for them to have more than one partner. To them it's really just normal.'

Well that explains a lot about Tengen and his family of mers. And why Rengoku tried giving you a ring. And why Suma tried feeding you that catfish a long time ago.

'-It's more common for the women to take the last name of the males but again this isn't always the case.

-Pods are usually categorized by two: Family Pods and Neutral Pods.

FAMILY PODS: Usually the most common and very big varying on the mers. These are usually made up of just family members. Usually a pair of parents and their partners, and their children. Sometimes a family pod will be very big with grandparents, along with uncles and aunts and the main partners' siblings but it's less common.

-There is always one leader in every family pod, usually it's the father of the children. They are in charge of leading the pod and have the final say on things.

-The children are referred to as guppies or pups.

-Ever heard of sharks having a nursery for their pups? Well mers have a nursery for their children too. It's usually hidden and guarded to avoid predators or hostile mers.

-Usually a mer doesn't leave on their own until they're anywhere about sixteen to twenty years old.

NEUTRAL PODS: These are just pods made up of three or more random mers. Sometimes it's a trio or more of romantic partners but most commonly it's just a group of random mers. Neutral Pods can be made up of family members but more often than not it's just random mers who decided they liked each other enough to hunt together, partners without children, or they're made up of mers who just decided to hunt together as they live in the same area.

-If you encounter a neutral pod made up of romantic partners it'll be very easy to tell who's the leader of said partners. The leader will be decorated in the most jewelry. Usually this jewelry is made of home made seashells and stolen trinkets. However if they're in contact with a lot of valuables like gold, jewels, etc then they will have most of it decorating their body however they will also adore their partners in said jewelry as a form of wealthy status and it's sort of like their version of a wedding ring.

-The main leader of said partners is usually the one that gives out the jewelry or gifts amongst his or her partners.

-a neutral pod isn't considered a family pod unless made up of family members or if a neutral pod of partners has children.'

Actually...That explains why Tengen is absolutely covered in jewels and jewelry. WAY more than Kyojuro or the girls. Does that mean that Tengen was the one who gifted them all of that stuff?

'-Mers are highly territorial. Not that an area can't be shared by multiple mers but usually a lone mer or pod has a specific amount of territory they own over.

-Because of their highly territorial nature, male mers will often be covered in scars from fights over territory, fights over a mate, or fights over treasure. LOTS of times fights between them often result in scars, severe injuries, and even death.

-Physical grooming like combing each other's hair, helping to remove loose scales, or just physical touch in general is seen as an intimate act on the same level of a romantic kiss on the cheek so usually it's only reserved for romantic partners or family members.'

A very large glass sound went off in your mind. Eyes going wide open like an owl. ...Say what?

'-Mermaids mate for life like swans do. Unless the other partners/partner dies then they won't really take on another partner.

-THIS is why humans must be very careful when interacting with mermaids/men of any kind. If you do encounter one the following rules Must be kept in mind.

1. If you encounter one of these fantastic creatures be sure to mention a present partner casually. Even if you do not have a significant other, the mere mentions of a partner will detour most interest from yourself.  

2. Keep your interactions platonic. You must never insinuate romantic interest to one. Even the slightest hint of possible interest will make them pursue.

3. Avoid talking about romance or future goals outside of mentioning your partner. Never mention children to them. Talking about children with them insinuates the interest of finding them potential parents to have children with.

4. Keep your distance. Allowing touch is a huge sign of trust and interest of physical contact. Keep as physical far away as possible if you can and do not allow contact to be initiated.

5. Absolutely above all else NEVER accept gifts. Gifts are usually only given out as a proposal of interest. If accepted then consider yourself doomed because any outside romantic interest will result in retaliation and usually does not end well. 

-Mers who're able to keep a human partner are usually seen in higher regard as not everyone can keep one. This is why steps must be taken to ensure the human doesn't end up in hot water. And why many young mers are attracted to the aspects of having a human spouse, not really taking into consideration the blatant difficulties of a relationship like this.

-Mers will also play chase and fight with each other as a display of playful behavior. Reminds me of behavior I've also encountered when I spoke to the Beastmen tribe of the Southern Kokkori Forest. They display a similar playful behavior with their own mates and children.

All the information I gathered was limited but very useful! I'll try bringing back some gold and silver coins and more meats in two weeks time to see if I can get a better description of their underwater homes.'

The book was quickly closed with a loud thud sound and you just stared at nothing really. There was quiet for a long while before Shinobu bluntly asked-

"So how much did you mess up?" Both her sisters shot her a look but you groaned raising the book to your head.

"A lot! Kyojuro asked me about having kids once!" You felt so embarrassed pressing your blushing face deeper into the book. "How was I supposed to know that letting them brush my hair was flirting?!"

"Yep. She's screwed."

"You're not helping any!"

"Let's not argue right now." Kanae gave a worrying glance at the window looking for movement..but sighed when she saw nothing. "There's more serious matters to be dealt with right now. Like getting home."

Your body stiffened before you slowly looked up from the book to poke at eye at her. "Wait. You've actually been trying to get back?"

Kanae nodded. "For nearly the entire time we've been here. You see we weren't the first ones here." Kanae turned to the girl right next to you. "Koyuki was actually here the longest. Kanao was taken here as they've seen her gathering common healing herbs. When she couldn't help her, we were next."

"But why would they need three healers?"

"I get sick often." Koyuki looked embarrassed and shameful almost looking away from the others around her, shuffling deeper into the blanket around her shoulders. "That's why they're here."

"They promised they'd let us go once Koyuki's condition got better, but.."

"Let me guess. Those other mermen got attached and decided to change their minds?"

Kanae sighed. "Yes. Exactly. Unfortunately the only one who seems to understand that we don't want anything to do with them is Giyuu."

"Giyuu?"

"The merman you saw with Shinobu earlier. He's actually very understanding and let's my sister study him without trying to court her. He's the one who's tail looks like a demanson's cichlid fish. Unfortunately he's still unwilling to help Shinobu or ourselves off the isle."

"But if you two two can't leave-" You glanced at Kanao who blinked at you. "-then why hasn't she gone home? She doesn't have anything to do with them, and Mitsuri doesn't either."

"Because if she went back then she could just tell someone where we are, and unfortunately its Obanai who likes her. He's the sea snake you saw." Kanae shook her head. "But we've been coming up with an idea. You just happened to arrive just in time too."

You blinked and looked over at her. "You mean an escape plan?" She nodded. "What kind of plan?" 

Before she even said a word, she made a 'shush' motion with her finger to her lips before getting up. Going to the already closed window to pull the curtains back just enough to peek out, sighing when she saw nothing. Then going to the door to quietly open it before peeking into the stil locked home before quietly closing and locking the door back.

"What are you doing?"

"Making sure Obanai wasn't inside with us, or Tengen was still lurking about." She half whispered turning back to you. "Obanai can go on land and actually lives on the island with us, and Tengen has incredible hearing even more powerful than a normal mer's. Sometimes Obanai will come inside without telling us just to talk to Mitsuri."

"I don't mean to put out plans in trouble!," Mitsuri shuffled still holding onto the tray she brought the cups on. "H-He just likes to talk I-Is all."

"We're not taking any chances after what happened last time."

"Last time?" There was a last time? What happened last time?

"There's an old shed that was attached to one of the damaged homes that's still hear. Kanao found a boat that we could've used to escape with, but Obanai caught us talking about it. The boat not escaping with it." Her expression saddened. "The next night when we went to get it, we found it smashed to nothing but splinters." Your eyes widened. He smashed a whole boat to keep them here?! No wonder they were taking precautions. "But we have a plan! Can we trust you to help us?"

You blinked but nodded. "Anything! I want to go home too!"

She smiled widely. "There's a full moon at the end of the week. Every full moon there's a rapid power of a current right near where we currently are. It brings up a bunch of fish and so they all either go out hunting or sleep. If we can get a boat to that current, it'll take us near a piece of land we can leave through within a few hours."

"Uh. There's a problem. I thought you said the boat was destroyed."

She smiled wider. "It was but we found another perfectly usable under some old debry. It's big enough for all of us if we squeeze in. So what do you say? Will you help us?"

You nodded. "I'm in!"

She nodded. "Alright good. Here's what we still need. I found about three oars but we need to see if we can find some more, and a good bucket in case there's a sudden leak. Until then everyone needs to act as they usually do and don't mention anything about-"

"KANAE!!"

All six of you jumped up as a rather gruff and powerful voice called out the name of one of you. What was-?

"KOYUKI!! I'VE RETURNED! CAN YOU HEAR ME?!" A different but still loud male voice called out to another one of you.

What the-?

"Y/N!!" "MITSURI!!" "SHINOBU!!"

What in the world?!

A whole chorus of voices were calling your names minus Kanao who got up and went to the very large window. Throwing the curtain open, unlocking it, and pushing it open to peer out. 

"Kanao! Hey! Can you tell the girls to come out? By the way, have you met my brother?! He thinks you're really cute!!"

"SANEMI DON'T SAY STUFF LIKE THAT!!"

"It's true!" 

"NO IT'S NOT!!"

You all looked at one another.. before slowly getting up and walking to the window too. The book forgotten about as you helped Koyuki up and along with everyone else gathered by the window. It was large enough for all six of you to stand there and look out only to pause at what you saw.

They were back! 

All of the mermen you previously saw plus your friends and two new ones. One was right next to the shark mer. They looked similar enough to be related only his hair was more black and he looked young, around the same age as Kanao. He took one look at all the pretty ladies looking out- His face turned an immediate red before he dunked his head back underwater. Aw. He was actually adorable! The other one though-

Whoa.

He was actually very colorful and unusual looking compared to the others. Pink hair. Greyish skin. Weird blue stripes. He was certainly a strange looking one. He brightly absolutely happy at Koyuki and raised a hand to wave at her.

"Koyuki, we're all gonna practice spare! I'm so happy to see you again!," he called out making the girl pushed the bottom half of her face into the blanket.

"KANAE, WATCH ME KICK THIS LOSER'S ASS!! YOU'LL LOVE THIS MORE THAN THE JEWELS!!"

You all turned to Kanae who turned red and turned her head away from your prying eyes. You guessed that one was Sanemi. 

"GO TENGEN!! GO KYOJURO!! GO TENGEN!! GO KYOJURO!!"

Hey. That voice you definitely knew! You leaned out more and looked up the beach towards the right. A cluster of rocks was there sticking out of the water and on those rocks were three female mermaids you knew all too well. Sitting aside and happily watching the spectacle their husbands made towards the pumped up males. Suma loudly waving and cheering on the two men sitting there. 

"Been a while, Akaza! I thought you were never going to come visit again!," Kyojuro greeted the man before him. 

"HA! You wish! Like I'd let you think I'd let you claim my winning streak!"

"Never the less, suggesting we all spare is a great idea! It's been so long since I tussled!"

A loud smack noise sounded off next to Kyojuro as Tengen smacked his fist into his other hand. "Kyo and I verses you and Obanai?! HA! Neither of you two stand a chance!"

 Obanai hissed in response and Akaza shot an annoyed look at Tengen. "Big talk for a guy who can only fight puny humans and their ships!"

"Ooh! I'm so scared. You're still butthurt over Kyojuro rejecting your flirting to get with me instead. And can you blame him? Look at me!~" His muscles tensed making them flex and his wives give off a few loud squeals. Kyojuro not to subtly also turned his head toward his torso. "Who could resist this flamboyant body?~ Can't cry because my chest is bigger than yours.~"

"OH YOU SON OF A BITCH!!"

You stared as Tengen sent a wink at you- Only to get tackled backwards onto the water by a pink blur and a loud splash. ....Well, no one could be more embarrassed that Tengen right now. 

"Giyuu, don't be so mean to him!"

You looked over. A black haired merman was laying on top of the shark Merman, holding him in a choke hold while his upper half was under water. The shark guy thrashed about flailing his arms to try and get a hold on the one on top of him, bubbles cascading up around his head as it was held underneath the water screaming profanities you were sure shouldn't be said around Kanao.

"...Whelp. I stand corrected."

[skinandscales-if]

What kind of fish does Puck keep?

All kinds! Their favorite are betta fish but any species that can safely be contained show up more often, and they particularly like bright fish like the Peacock Cichlid, Goldfish, Electric Blue Acara, Discus, etc.!

[aquariumqa]

CICHLID FOR A 20-GALLON TANK

Aulonocara korneliae, the blue-and-gold peacock, is a good option for a 20-gallon tank. It is a very gentle African cichlid. It can be kept in a bigger tank as a community fish and is not at all aggressive

Requirements: pH 7.2-8.2, temp 74-82 (24-28 C). Wide variety of foods: flakes or pellets, freeze dried and frozen foods. Very good biofiltration to keep water clean. Water changes to keep pH stable.

[hareofhrair]

Got the watermarks on these fish! Scarlet Betta, Clownfish, Goldfish, Calico Koi, Green Tiger Bard, Neon Tetra, Blue Tang, Blue Peacock Cichlid, Black Cap Basslet, Royal Gramma, and Coral~

Coral (the fushia) is already taken and Green Tiger Barb (the jade) is reserved, but everybody else is still open!

Step up to the fish tank and take home a friend!

I made these adoptable fishtrolls based on aquarium fish! Are they seadwellers with fancy coloration? Lowbloods with seadweller mutations? Some kind of fancy pet breed? Who knows! You decide!

They’re 25$ apiece except for the clownfish, who’s $65 and comes with some extra premade art and variations.

For an extra $35 I’ll make an illustration like that for any of the fish. Once I get watermarks on them Ill show off the solo images of all the fish so you can appreciate the details.

[kingofaquariumsyt]

Electric Blue acara, Jewel cichlids, Convict cichlids, Peacock cichlids ...

[keldfelle]

Mermay #4 - Blue Peacock Cichlid

What if crabs were the equivalent of spiders or raccoons and only the bravest of mermen could defeat them?