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 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, pull them under the waves, and there drown them or strangle them to death.
Origin
The description of the Guardian of the Fishes resembles that of a Russian sturgeon, although this fish 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.