The Arctic and Northern Oceans
The Arctic and Sub-arctic
These frigid waters are nevertheless rich and productive, many sea creatures prey upon this bounty and each other.
Thizeruk, Sisiutl, Haietlik, Wasgo a serpentine seal reminiscent of a Leopard Seal, but twice as big. Commonly preys on other seals and sea-birds. 6.5 meters long, 1 ton. Phocidae.
Steller's Sea Wolf, Sea Wolf, Plebun, Tsheshsha. This narrow-bodied cetacean is relatively common in the waters around Kamchatka and other sub-arctic parts of the North Pacific. Descended from Archaeocetes like Dorudon, it forages entirely by sight and touch, and is known to hunt cooperatively. 12 meters long on average, 11 tons in weight. Dorudontinae.
Yagim, a huge deep-water shark infamous among the Kwakiutl people of British Columbia as a man-eater and vengeful water-spirit. Particularly notable is its habit of ramming and capsizing small boats in order to prey on their occupants. Though generally a deep-water animal, it will commonly stray close to the surface in colder weather. 18 meters long, 15 tons. Somniosidae.
Vopnafjőrthur Serpent. In fact a relative of Pilot Whales and Dolphins, being most common in Icelandic waters, this creature bears an unusual profile when it breaks the surface. 9 meters long, 5 tons in weight. Delphinidae.
Xwoxwá:ya, a small kind of surviving Eurypterid. Common in clear, shallow water and tide-pools along the Pacific coast of northern Canada and British Columbia. Known for having a venomous bite. 25cm long, Pterygotioidea.
A-mi’-kuk, this large octopus has 4 large arms and 4 reduced. It is a denizen of both shallow cold waters and the deeps, and can travel between. It will commonly catch seals, sharks and occasionally people. 13 meter arm-span, 300kg. Octopodidae.
Az’-i-wû-gûm Ki-mukh’-ti is a large and formidable predator, related to the Each Uisge. Sheathed in blubber and thick warty skin, it is able to hunt both in and out of the water. Its large tail serves for swimming and also as a defensive weapon. 4.2 meters long, 800 kilograms. Pakicetidae.
Alaskan Giant Platypus, this creature is an enigma. A cold-adapted shellfish-eater, it's lineage must trace back to South American platypuses from more than 50 million years ago. 1.8 meters long, 90 kilograms. Ornithorhynchidae?
Kajanok, Aasivarluut, a giant kind of Eurypterid commonly inhabiting nearshore waters, inlets, bays and sea-lakes in Greenland and the Canadnian Arctic. Generally feeds on carrion and other invertebrates, wrongly reputed as a killer among local Inuits. 3.5 meters in arm-span, 60 kilograms, Stylonuroidea.
Shores and bays of Europe
These creatures are common around shores, bays and sea-lochs.
Each Uisge is the most archaic kind of whale known, able to run around on land like a horse or hound. It is a good swimmer and forages underwater, it has been known to attack humans. 1.7 meters at the shoulder, 160 kilograms. Pakicetidae.
Sarmatian Sea Snail, this large sea snail is common in the Baltic, and will sometimes be found stranded in the shallows or washed up on the beach. Shell diameter 70 centimeters, 60 kilograms. Tonnidae.
Boobrie, these large shags are commonly found in bays and sea lochs, though they will fly and forage further out to sea. Feeds mainly on large fish and other seabirds, but have been known to take calves and small children. 1.6 meters long, 3.5 meter wingspan, 40 kilograms. Phalacracoracidae.
Sea Dog, Onchu, Enfield, these oversized relatives of the Mink are ferocious and able to pursue prey in and out of water, they vaguely resemble large dogs. 2 meters long, 45 kilograms. Mustelidae.
Widespread in the North
These creatures are found throughout the northern oceans, both Pacific, Atlantic, and possibly in parts of the arctic.
Digited Creature, an oversized kind of handfish with much-modified fins. It inhabits kelp-forests, where it is able to climb and clamber among the fronds, gripping them with its strange claw-like fins. It usually feeds by ambushing marine invertebrates and small fish. 1.3 meters long, 32 kilograms. Brachionichthyidae.
Selkie, Saelkie, Sejlki, Seal Folk, Finns, Maighdeann-mhara, Moidyn varrey. Selshamurinn, Kópakonan etc. This rather round, short-headed variety of seal has a distinct flat face and large forward-facing eyes. Coupled with it's rather plaintive, almost human voice, this has led to it being equated with shapeshifting sea-people in many myths in the Northern Hemisphere, particularly the British Isles, but as far afield as Iceland and the Subarctic coasts of the Pacific. Up to 1.8 meters long, as much as 160 kilograms. Phocidae.
Polypus are very large lobsters which are common in temperate northern waters, feeding mainly on bivalves, snails, crabs and carrion. 1.5 meters long, 75 kilograms. Nephropidae.
Snark are huge deep-sea sharks which commercial fishing boats may sometimes catch by accident. They are pugnacious, and mostly feed on large squid. 10 meters long, 1.8 tons. Chlamydoselachidae.
Rosmarus, a rather typical walrus apart from its size, it feeds almost exclusively on clams that it sucks from their shells. 6 meters long, 3 tons. Odobenidae.
Hippocamp, Hrosshvalur or Cadborosaurus. A large variety of seal that does not come ashore to pup or moult, they prey mainly on squid and fish but will sometimes take sea birds. 6 meters long, 2 tons. Phocidae.
Stökkull, sperm-whales which are ferocious in temper and take joy in ramming ships that annoy them. 20 meters long, 50 tons. Physeteridae.
Selamóðir or Seal-mother, the largest species of true seal, their spring haul-outs are dangerous in the extreme as aggressive males are common. 7 meters long, 4.5 tons. Phocidae.
Marine Ox or Sea-cow, related to the dugong, these creatures graze on various kinds of sea-weed including kelp. They are apathetic about ships and humans, and will sometimes roll and gambol in the waves. 5 meters long, 3.3 tons. Dugongidae.
Skeljúngur or Shell-whale, much like a hump-back in appearance save for its bodily covering of tough horny calluses, it is usually curious about ships, and will repel most harpoons. 16 meters long, 30 tons. Balaenopteridae, very similar to Megaptera.
Sverðhvalur, cousin to the orca, they hunt in packs and will commonly catch and kill other whales. 12 meters long, 9 tons. Genus Orcinus.
Skötumóðir, Rockas, Bregdi or Skate-mother. A large bottom-dweller, this fish feeds mainly on whelks, octopus, crabs and other benthic organisms. 7 meters in span, 3 tons. Rajidae.
Taumafiskur or Bridle-whale, boisterous and of a fair size, they are often curious about boats and will sometimes capsize small ones. 7 meters long, 4 tons. Delphinidae.
The North Atlantic
These denizens are found only in the North Atlantic, where the often figure in rich local folklore.
Bodach, Lesser Seal, Dwarf Seal. A small species of seal, closely related to the ringed-seal, found in the North Atlantic around the British Isles, particularly the Hebrides. 1.4 meters long, 65 kilograms maximum. Phocidae, genus Pusa.
Soay Beast, this large sea turtle frequently visits the cold waters around Great Britain and France, but does range further south. Having a metabolism that is high for a chelonian, it is also insulated by deposits of body fat which mostly resides under the shell. Its serrated profile is distinctive. 3 meters long, 800 kilograms. Dermochelyidae.
Reese and Gilbert's Serpent, another marine saurian of Triassic lineage, this armored, beaked serpent feeds mostly by engulfing shoals of small fish and larger kinds of plankton. Able to live for as long as 80 years, older individuals will often have extensive growths of filamentous brown algae covering their backs. 6-7 meters long 900 kilograms maximum. Hupehsuchia.
Friedrichshaften Beast, an unusually proportioned relative of the nurse shark and wobbegong. Elusive but not uncommon along the coast of continental Europe, it avoids extremely cold or polar waters. An ambush hunter with large prominent teeth, it generally sits in wait sheltered by seaweed or rocks. 2.3 meters long, 85 kilograms, Orectolobiformes.
Circhos or Cricos is a common near-shore and littoral crustacean of the North Sea. It is mostly typical for a hermit-crab, apart from its contrasting red and black coloring, and particulars of its claws. Usually choosing Nerita shells as its home, it will seek refuge by wedging itself in a crack or crevice during bad weather. 12 centimeters long maximum. Paguridae.
Capitones is a kind of ratfish found in some parts of the North Sea, it is notable, as are all ratfish, in that its head is large, with the body steadily narrowing into a thin tail. 1.2 meters long, 25 kilograms. Chimaeridae.
Joseph Holland's Serpent, this huge predatory fish is unusual in its narrow shape and prominent, sail-like dorsal fin, which can be seen above the water's surface. 18 meters long, 7 tons. Cimolichthyidae.
Marool, Carrachan, Kettach, Masgum, Wide-gab. This oversized angler is a common inhabitant of the North-seas' deeps, particularly infamous in Shetland as a creature which appears during storms and choppy weather. It is notable for having a large lure which contains multiple light organs, as well as some smaller organs on its brow, which serve a different purpose. 2 meters long maximum, weight indeterminate. Ceratiidae.
Gorramooloch, this large predatory dolphin is notable for having large fore-fins, and its habit of leaping a high out of the water, even allowing it to catch seabirds. 10 meters long, 7.5 tons. Delphinidae.
High-finned Sperm Whale, Physeter tursio, relatively common in the North Sea, this mid-sized sperm-whale is notoriously shy, and unlike some of its relatives, is generally scared of boats. Mostly known from strandings, it has an extremely long, upright dorsal fin, resembling the mast of a ship. Up to 17 meters long, 23 tons in weight, Physeteridae.
Champagne's Serpent, this large scaly reptile is sometimes sighted at the surface, but spends most of its time feeding on benthic species of bivalve and whelk. 9 meters maximum length, 9 tons. Placodontidae.
Cormac Ua Liatháin's Fish, this small scorpionfish is notable for its habit of forming large swarms when it is time to breed. 15cm long. Scorpaenidae.
Swamfisk, a common coastal fish, their skin is very oily and rich smelling, and comes off constantly in small tendrils. This serves entirely to attract smaller fish, which it eats. 40 centimetres long. Scorpaeniformes.
Múshveli, common, inquisitive about boats and aggressive towards people, this archaic whale feeds mostly on cuttlefish, octopus and slow-swimming fish. 8 meters long, 2.1 tons. Basilosauridae.
Hans Egede's Serpent, Super Otter. This large Archaeocete seems to have an unusual body-form, with features of both Basilosaurids and Protocetids. Found mostly in the North Sea, it tends to hunt large squid, fish and sharks in the depths of the ocean, locating prey via sight and touch. Up to 22 meters long, 60 tons average. Archaeoceti incertae sedis.
Champagne's Sail-backed Whale, another large beaked whale notably mistaken for a sea serpent. 20 meters maximum, 30 tons. Ziphiidae.
Physeter, Capidolio, Capax, Spouter. This large Archaeocete feeds in the depths, locating abyssal squid by sight and touch, feeding by suction. When spotted at the surface, it is very notable for its prodigious spouting “blow”, which has been attributed as an attempt to flood small boats. This is untrue, but males are highly territorial, and will attack ships on occasion. 22 meters long, 45 tons. Basilosauridae.
Katthveli, Sea-cat, Mer-cat, these very large sea otters can be extremely aggressive towards sailors which have fallen overboard, or indeed towards anyone who intrudes on their territory. 4 meters long, 900 kilograms. Lutrinae.
Raudkembingur, these whales are solitary hunters and known man-eaters. They are often curious or aggressive towards boats, and have a distinct profile. 9 meters long, 10 tons. Physeteroidea.
Flyðrumóðir, Halibut-mother, giant predatory flatfish that are relatively common, they can be found at a variety of depths. 5 meters long, 2.7 tons. Pleuronectidae.
Sea Rhincoeros, relatively rare archaic sharks that feed mainly on crustaceans in near shore waters, their horn gives a distinctive profile. 3.5 meters long, 150 kilograms. Hybodontidae.
Muirdris, very large stocky jellyfish that can sting fiercely, their sting is very painful and is said to resemble being stabbed with thorns, but much worse. 3.5 meters diameter, 270 kilograms. Rhizostomatidae.
Sea Swine, commonly found near the shore, these small walrus feed mainly by uprooting clams and whelks from the seabed before crunching them up with their heavy molars. 2.3 meters long, 200 kilograms. Dusignathinae.
Bishop Fish or Sea Monk, a species of guitarfish whose face viewed from below gives it the appearance of a grimacing monk or bishop. 2 meters long, 120 kilograms. Rhinidae.
The North Pacific
These waters range from subtropical to quite frigid. There are a variety of monstrous creatures inhabiting this large swath of ocean.
San-Francisco-Bay Serpent, this large kind of eel are usually found deep in the Monterrey Bay Trench, but occasionally individuals venture into shallower waters to be sighted. They have an unusual undulating method of swimming. 25 meters long, 14 tons. Congridae.
Petit's Serpent, Spanish Banks Serpent. This oversized relative of the pipefish is usually found in open waters, within the mesopelagic zone, where it swims passively in order to prey on small pelagic crustacea. Up to 18 meters long, 13 tons. Sygnathinae.
Deepstar Fish, this giant fish inhabits the inky ocean deeps, where it mostly feeds on large squid and soft-skinned kinds of deep-sea fish. 8 meters long, 2.2 tons. Serranidae.
Cleary's Fish, an oversized and very specialized kind of Coelacanth, more closely related to unusual Triassic forms, than to the modern Latimeria. 7 meters long, 1 ton maximum, Latimeridae.
Marvin the Monster, Marvin. This unusual and seldom seen creature is not actually a monster, but rather an oversized Siphonophore Jelly. 4+ meters long, weight indeterminate, Apolemiidae.
China Point Serpent, another unusually-shaped shark of the depths, it may flounder on the surface with its neck protruding, when ill or disoriented. 9.3 meters long, 5 tons in weight. Squaliformes.
Bobo, The old man of Monterrey Bay, Sea Giant. Wrongly attributed as a sort of giant merfolk, this monster is in fact a close relative of the elephant seal. Unlike its relative, both males and females have short, truncated faces with large staring eyes, which has added to its notoriety as a monster. Their breeding colonies are smaller than those of elephant seals, and scattered more widely along the Pacific Seaboard of the Americas. 7 meters long, 3 tons. Miroungini.
Isonade are large placid sharks, sometimes involved in maritime incidents. Their long muscular tails and spiny-scaled skin make them common scapegoats for sailors falling overboard, and indeed when individuals are hooked on lines, they can knock people overboard with a sweep of their tail. They feed mainly on bottom-dwelling invertebrates, and are most common off the coast of Japan. 15 meters long, 18 tons. Ginglymostomatidae.
Shen are impressive as far as clams go, but relatively placid. These very large bivalves are common in coastal waters off China, Korea and Japan. Their flesh is slightly toxic, and consuming it will cause mania and hallucinations for a few days. 60 centimetres wide, 35 kilograms. Veneridae.
Umibozu, Akkorokamui, or giant octopus are common throughout the North Pacific, and will sometimes attack boats, dragging people out and consuming them. Usually they feed on sharks, eels, large fish, crabs and other cephalopods. There is a rich tradition of myths surrounding this creature in Japan and some Pacific Islands. 23 meters arm-span, 20 tons. Octopodidae.
Atui Koro Ekashi are rather unsettling to look at, large rubbery sea slugs which regularly exceed ten feet long. The myths of Japan blame them for whirlpools which drag under ships and sailors to be swallowed. Looking at how they feed, it is easy to see how this myth arose, they open a large bag-like hood to envelop and swallow even relatively large prey such as lobsters, small sharks and big fish. They are usually bottom dwellers. 3.5 meters long, 300 kilograms. Tethyidae.
Tako no nana ashi are moderately sized octopuses given macabre qualities in Japanese folklore. It's actual oddness is that both sexes appear to have only 7 arms, though in the male the 8th is actually a concealed mating aid. Generally dwelling in shallow near-shore waters, they are able to crawl over rocks and sand when trapped in tide pools. Arm-span up to 55cm, 1.2kg, Octopodidae.
Meppōkai. A common kind of spiny scallop, caught usually in the seas off southern Japan. Rather typical apart from its common name, which translates as an unusual pun in Japanese. Shell 20 centimeters long, weight 170 grams maximum. Pectinidae.
Bitan. A species of giant Triggerfish, common in the seas of the Ryūkyū Islands off southern Japan, and further south as far as the Phillipines. Having coarse scaly skin, an ornate tail and brow horns, its distinct appearance has led to it being revered as a healing symbol in some parts of Southern Japan. 2 meters long, 95 kilograms. Balistidae.
Koromodako. An enormous relative of the Argonaut, found mostly in Japanese waters, where it is attributed some infamy as a sea monster. Though the female produces a large mass of eggs, it is the fist-sized male that produces a papery spiral shell in order to brood them, as the female is an active large-predator of jellyfish and other soft-bodied prey. Common folklore does not distinguish the male and female, and insists that the smaller one is capable of transforming into the larger, and endangering ships. Arm-span in female 16 meters maximum, weight up to 3.5 tons. Argonautidae.
Shiofuki. An enormous sea-horse found mostly in the tropical waters between the Phillipines and Japan. It is a slow-swimmer which usually lurks around snags, seaweed and rocky reefs, where its hair-like skin-growths serve as camouflage. When caught in a net and dragged from the water, it commonly expels jets of water from its mouth. Hippocampinae, up to 1.7 meters long, 70 kilograms in weight.
Hamaguri nyōbō, Clam-wife. A rather typical edible clam of the genus Corbicula. The Japanese attribute it with significance in folklore, as sometimes taking the form of a human woman in order to marry local men. If the husband ascertains her true identity, it is said she returns to the sea forever. Up to 8 centimetres long, 60 grams in weight. Cyrenidae.
Shussebora. A species of very-large, colourful Triton shell, considered to be a venerable dragon in Japanese folklore. In reality it is simply a species somewhat distinct from the typical Charonia tritonis. Shell up to 89 centimetres long, weight up to 27 kilograms. Charoniidae.
Oshōuo, Kame nyūdō, Turtle Monk. This large soft-shell turtle is unusual among modern kinds for commonly foraging in nearshore marine waters. Reputed in Japanese folklore as carrying a curse that can summon bad weather, anyone who catches one will feel compelled to release it in order to avoid being cursed. 1.8 meters long, 95 kilograms in weight. Trionychidae.
Kanibito. A rather typical slipper lobster (with hairy claws) found in Japanese waters, when a leucistic or blue individual is fished up, it is attributed as an omen of disaster. 16 centimeters long maximum, up to 100 grams in weight. Scyllaridae.
Ushi-oni, this oversized kind of king crab is alarming to look at, its shell adorned with 2 long, bull-like horns. The Japanese regard it as a marine demon with the worst attributes of bull and spider. 2.4 meter leg-span, 30 kilograms. Lithodidae.
Sazae-oni, this spiked variety of turban shell has cultural significance to the Japanese, who liken it to a demon. In reality, it is simply a larger relative of the typical horned turban shell. 25cm diameter. Turbinidae.
Amabie, this unusual fish is thought of as a mermaid in coastal Japanese provinces, and it's appearance is said to foretell disasters such as an epidemic. As a result, there is widespread iconography of this creature. 80 cm long, 25 kilograms. Brachionichthyidae.
Ningyo, Jinmengyo, Hai ho shang or Chiru, this fish is a huge relative of the wrasse, having a poor temper around swimmers and small boats. The Chinese and Japanese hold it is significance as a portent of disaster. 3.2 meters long, 160 kilograms. Labridae.
Shachihoko, this ferocious fish is a formidably toothy kind of red snapper. Often found in sheltered bays or rocky reefs, it mostly preys on other fish, but will also eat squid and cuttlefish. 1.5 meters long, 65 kilograms. Lutjanidae.
Akugyo, Daigyo, this enormous, bad tempered kind of grouper is a known man-eater with a bad reputation among Japanese sailors. 8 meters long, 3.6 tons. Serranidae.
Ikuchi, Ayakashi, this serpentine creature is a seafloor forager related to the Hagfish and Lamprey. It is notable in Japanese folklore for its tendency to generate a great deal of viscous slime, especially when harassed. Also notable are its interactions with boats and fisherman's nets, swamping craft with reams of slime. Up to 18 meters long, 6 tons. Myxiniformes.
Atuikakura, found mostly in sandy-bottomed nearshore waters of a fair depth, this enormous sea cucumber is of course harmless. But it may cause a stir if accidentally caught, or washed up on shore. Up to 2.5 meters long, 90 kilograms. Stichopodidae.
Trieste Fish, Challenger Deep Flatfish. This unusual deeps-sea Holothurian is like quite a few others in being adapted to swim from place to place in search of new feeding spots. It is also unusual in being endemic to the sea-floors of the Mariana Trench, some 10 thousand or so meters below the surface. 30 centimetres long, weight indeterminate. Psychropotidae.
Steller's Sea Ape, this smallish kind of seal is so unique as to be distinct from all others. Lacking fore-flippers, it is a fast and acrobatic swimmer, never needing to come ashore to breed. 1.7 meters long, 80 kilograms. Phocidae.
