merkitty

Merkitty is a fictional aquatic mammal hybrid that blends feline features with sea-dwelling adaptations. The term, a portmanteau of mermaid and kitty, is used primarily in fantasy fiction, fan art, and online communities to describe a cat with aquatic traits.

Depictions vary, but common motifs include a cat-like head with whiskers and ears, a lithe torso, and a tail that terminates in a fish-like fin. Some versions show fur that becomes water-repellent or scales along the tail; others feature gills, webbed paws, or dorsal fins. Variations reflect different artistic styles rather than a single canonical design.

Merkitty are typically described as coastal or estuarine dwellers, inhabiting temperate to tropical waters. They are often portrayed as agile swimmers capable of moving between land and sea, with diets that center on fish and crustaceans. Behavior ranges from playful and curious to solitary and stealthy, depending on the storyteller.

Because merkitty are fictional, there is no standardized biology or lore. They appear in fantasy novels, webcomics, role-playing games, and fan art as characters that explore hybridity and imaginative cosmologies. Their portrayal varies widely across creators and communities.

See also: mermaid, selkie, catfolk.