#monarch beta

So it is a subspecies of mermaid that are known for being rare and elusive. I like to imagine they'd live around an isolated and extremely deeps coves, making their homes in underwater cliffs. The Beta Monarch can live to be thousands of years old, and can grow to be 20ft long (human upper body takes up 2ft-3ft obvious smaller if baby).

Monarch comes from their sheer size, regal look, and the fact that they prey on smaller species of merfolk. (Don't worry they enjoy clams, fish and other stuff). Beta comes from the appearance of their tails. The average tail of an adult ranges from 16-20ft, most have vibrant iridescent colors and their tails are somewhat covered with many long and wide (3-5ft) whispy fins, (like a beta fish and all their dramatic fins).

Culture wise, very territorial, and they love collecting trinkets (like crows) and braid said trinkets into their hair, or into handmade sachels or articles of clothing worn around the waist and arms. They tend to be curious, mostly while young. When pregnant (lasts about 9 months) the female will build a nest and during the last 4 months she will not leave the nest, or her home cave, until after birth. During that time, the mate is constantly hunting to bring food and nest materials to their mate. Because of this, most Beta Monarchs interested in a female will present shiny and pretty trinkets as a form of courting to show how well they are at hunting and scavenging.

Powers: The Monarch Beta can change their gender and sex at any time, however the ability is kinda like a muscle so unless they're genderfluid, the ability will slowly weaken and fade the longer they stay as their chosen gender. Some can also turn into human.