Anonymous
×
Create a new article
Write your page title here:
We currently have 2,416 articles on Monstropedia. Type your article name above or click on one of the titles below and start writing!



Monstropedia
2,416Articles

Guardian of the Fishes

The Guardian of the Fishes is a sea monster from Estonian mythology.

Description

The Guardian of the Fishes is a hulking, monstrous, vaguely humanoid fish that can walk on land with legs and feet and swim in the sea at the same time. It has scaly humanlike hands which are used to grip prey. Its most distinguishing feature, besides its immense size, is the sawlike ridge of spines that runs down its back. The Guardian of the Fishes is the most powerful and ferocious of fishes, an ancient and gnarled, yet immensely strong creature that is impossible to catch.

Behavior

As protector of all sea creatures, the Guardian of the Fishes is hostile toward humanity, especially fishermen. It creeps up on fishing boats, hidden in the water, and uses its strong hands to grab men from the boat, pulls them under the waves, and there the monster drowns them or strangles them to death.

Origin

The description of the Guardian of the Fishes resembles that of a Russian sturgeon, although this large fish (which can reach up to six feet in length and close to 250 pounds) is harmless to humans and is in fact critically endangered.

Sources

  • Rose, Carol [November 2001]. Giants, Monsters, and Dragons: An Encyclopedia of Folklore, Legend, and Myth (in English). W. W. Norton & Company, 217, 289. ISBN 0-393-32211-4.