What do you think would be the major differences between a freshwater mermaid and a saltwater mermaid?

1. Freshwater mermaid: Pretty, but in a slightly mildew-y way. She’s into pranks like grabbing your leg as you swim through a bunch of pond seaweed. Freshwater mermaid is also into grunge pop, the shark tooth necklace you lost last summer, The Gilmore Girls revival and is a lowkey freak. Saltwater Mermaid: Rides sharks for fun. Lures sailors to shipwreck for fun. Has a seaweed garden for fun. Tames seagulls for fun. Hates chickens.
   — kittensforbrunch


2. Freshwater mermaids are full of parasites and can’t be used for sushi.
   — arbitrosse


3. Both would have to have a lot of blubber, like manatees, so forget Ariel. Freshwater would probably be very dark with spots to blend in with murky water (like trout), whereas salt water would probably be light/blue to blend in with the ocean (like whales).
   — Whiner_Miner1975






4. Saltys generally have more room to swim in than freshys (the ocean opposed to a river or lake) so would probably end up much bigger!
   — scaffelpike


5. Saltwater mermaids are the ones you're probably thinking of... fish tail with a cute human upper half (arms, titties, face, etc). Fresh water mermaids have human legs and an ass with a fish torso and head.
   — the_river_nihil


6. Well obviously one is full of salt and is probably bitter about everything.
   — AlderSpark






7. **Strength.** In the open ocean, a lot of the time you can just swim around an obstacle. In a river, you'd have to be able to scarvel up waterfalls or hold position against the current, unless you're in a pool or slower river. **Colour.** A lot of and lakes rivers are dark or murky. I'd imagine a freshwater mermaids would have a darker complexion, and a tail similar to that of a freshwater Arctic charr, a mottled black/brown back with a redder belly. They'd probably have brown or black hair. **Air Tolerant** Due to the nature of the water cycle and their size, a freshwater mermaid would need to be able to spend periods of time out of water, either looking for a new water body to live in, or in shallow or stagnant water. **Verdict** A freshwater mermaid would look something like an amazonian woman with an arapaima-like tail.
   — Trap_Luvr


8. I’ve always seen freshwater mermaids as kind of slamonny, slow, a little ugly, and ovoparous. Saltwater mermaids would be much more predatory, vertical fin, maybe even a dorsal fin, and ovoviviparous.
   — kharmatika


9. Have you seen Nemo, the movie? Do you know what a carp looks like. That's about what I would think the difference would be.
   — D_M_E






10. don't forget there are distinctions too between tropical saltwater and arctic saltwater
    — cubosh