Classification: Mythical Beasts & Cryptids

Temporal Range: 19th Century

Geographic Range: On tour with circuses and freak shows across the world

Diet: Small fish and crustaceans

Horde: Urban Legends

The strangest of all half-human, half-fish hybrids, the Fiji Mermaid defies the traditional image of a beautiful, alluring mermaid. Sometimes called the Feejee Mermaid, this creature is about 3 feet long and notably hideous. While live sightings are rare, the Fiji Mermaid has mostly been encountered in preserved forms at various traveling shows, where the mummified remains reveal the eerie features of this ancient being. Though the exact time of its peak existence is unclear, records and accounts of the creature surged in the 1800s.

One of the most famous exhibitions of the Fiji Mermaid came from the renowned showman and circus entrepreneur, P.T. Barnum. Acquired from England, where it originally arrived from Japan, Barnum’s specimen was put on public display at his museum. The curious public flocked in droves, captivated and horrified by the creature. Barnum, ever the storyteller, produced 10,000 pamphlets that recounted tales of mermaids to accompany the exhibit. However, the creature on display was no romanticized siren; instead, it was described by Barnum as “an ugly dried-up, black-looking diminutive specimen, about 3 feet long. Its mouth was open, its tail turned over, and its arms thrown up, giving it the appearance of having died in great agony.” This was a creature of the seas unlike any other, with a distinctly grim and haunting visage.

For centuries, the Fiji Mermaid has captivated researchers and collectors with its eerie presence and elusive nature. This rare creature, once believed to lurk in the depths, now remains as only a few preserved specimens, treasured in collections worldwide. If you’re hoping to catch a glimpse of one of these now-timid beasties, you’ll have to be incredibly lucky. The Fiji Mermaid is a relic of another time, a legend that lingers, and a reminder that the ocean still holds secrets waiting to be uncovered.