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Merpeople Biology: Species one

Transformation and respiration

All mer species can go to human form. Apart from the Cionai, since they are too fish-like to form legs. A merperson has to be fully submerged in salt water for a complete transformation. It takes about 15 seconds for a complete transformation. Depending on the species. First, their legs fuse together, and about a second later, the gills and pointed ears form. This takes 8 seconds. Then, the legs grow blue scales to the ankles, and then the feet form into a massive bottom fin. Merpeople form pointed ears to hear better underwater, and to balance easily when swimming. Only salt water can change them, since it's the type of water they're adapted to. Salt-less water wouldn't have an effect on them. So, they can go out in rain and nothing will change. A merperson's tail will automatically form to legs when out of water. The tail has to be dry for legs to form.
When the gills form, the lungs to breathe air are shut off and the gills open the moment the lungs shut off. So the merperson will breathe water. The gills are located on the sides of their body. From their hip to their lower chests. When the torso, waist up, is out of water, the gills shut off and the lungs will open, and the merperson will breathe air. When they go back in water, the lungs instantly shut off and the gills instantly open.



Body Strain

A merperson can be in human form for up to two weeks. Depending on their physical strength. Merpeople need water to survive. If a merperson is out of water for 2 and a half weeks, that could kill them. A merperson has to drink water, or be wet for a period of time in human form to keep themselves strong. They could be fatally weak if not. If a merperson is a certain age and at a certain physical strength, they could be out of water for at least a month.

Swim Patterns

Merpeople have massive, bottom fins at the end of their tails. Their tails can move in certain ways. Like a normal fish. So, certain flex and twist points in the tail. They move their tails in certain ways to navigate. So, they move their fin right to turn left. Etc. And their fin will be fanned up and down to push them along. Merpeople can swim at very fast speeds. Since a fish-like tail is sleek and smooth.

Fins

The large fin at the bottom is quite thick and powerful. When the tail moves, it acts as a pusher, navigator etc. The fin helps the merperson push along and navigate. The fin can act similar to a jellyfish. Closing and opening, but only slightly. To keep the merperson in mid water, the fin can act similar to a jellyfish. Closing and opening, but only slightly.

Arms

A merperson's arms can help keep them afloat in water. Like a human would when swimming. Yet, the tail pushes them along and move, thus supporting them. Their arms can be used as navigators. Like fins. A merperson can move their arms like wings to move. Thus, interacting with the tail and fin. A merperson's whole body is like a fish. Arms like fins, gills, and lastly, the tail.