#nymphkin

From pre transition 9 year old me to 23 year old no longer a merMAID but a merMAN(ish) me.

Starting with my first homemade tail from 2009. Unfortunately, most of the pictures and videos are lost on my old laptop harddrive (which I am looking to get a dock for) So the only picture I have is this mega blury one. I'm in the blue and silver one, my old friend in the pink. Both used the kids finis monofin. You can also see the hole mine had from using it to death.

Next, in the same pool lol, and same swimsuit because I made this one only a few weeks after that first picture, this is in 2015 when I was about 12.

Then we have my first purchased tail, Catalina sea blue by the 2 tails. I got it in late 2015, but this pic is from 2017 and you can SEE the dispair and dysphoria on my face lmao. Also the shirt to cover my chest shape rather than wearing swimwear. I was using this tail from ages 12-15ish.

Also by the 2 tails, fire coral red, which was actually my little sisters. But she decided mermaids were boring so I stole it off her. Used it from 2016ish to 2019. So around ages 13-16. By 16 my feet were barely fitting in that monofin anymore. Friend in pic (diffrent one to pink tail girl) has a suntail.

Finally! a monofin that fits! Aussie green by finfun. But the OG design before they re-made it and imo, the new one sucks. I got it in 2019, the final year of despair before I left my fuck ass high school and could FINALLY transition. I actually didn't get into a tail and swimwear from mid 2019-2023 because DYSPHOORRIIIAAAA. It took several years on T to get to a point I could be a fish again without being hyper aware of my chest and the way wet fabric sticks to your body. Pic is from 2023, post T at last. Use this one still today! From age 16 to now.

Bought in 2023, suntails deep sea blue, and on the same rocks with the same binder and choker though lol. Also got the suntails monofin for this as my old one had gotten too small for me. Still use this one too, from age 20 to now.

And finally, my big boy. Mermaid Lucias fire koi. I'm still making some ajustments to the vynil instert in the fin, the monofin is the finis wave. Bought in 2025, still using it at my now 23 years. All together thats 15 years I've been swimming in tails.

Obviusly... koi is my fav. He's huge and bright and pretty and has side fins (mf was expensive too, used my christmas gift privlliages to get it). But Aussie green has a special place in my heart for being child me's dream tail for so long. I want to get back into making tails myself, I have the skill and sweing machine for it now. I want to make all my OC's tails eventually. Once I have the time for it, I also want to do some actual good swim videos and photos in full mer-gear. Tail, acessories, leaf top (and shirtless post surgery). Want to get some webbed ears too.

im trying to find what fits me, can you describe the difference between naiadkin, dryadkin, nymphkin, sirenkin, and mermaidkin please?

ouh! this is a bit of a complex one, but I shalt do my best. The issue mostly comes from how similar we all are, there aren't to many differences between us at all outside of specifics. And even then, it can be a struggle. I'll go though all that you listed with my impression of them and why someone may identify as them specifically.

-> naiad, nymph, and dryad These three are roughly the same thing. All naiads, nereids, and dryads are nymphs. Nymph is just a broad term for greek nature spirits that are feminine, light hearted, and benevolent. Nereids are saltwater nymphs, naiad are freshwater nymphs, and dryad are plant nymphs (broadly speaking).

These are much brighter, more heavily associated with whimsy and joy. They're almost always associated with helping others. Very socially driven.

-> siren Sirens are the moody ones. Usually lamenting about sharp claws and teeth. Sometimes there are feathers, but it just depends on the individual. Those that feel their 'types are more predatory in nature are more likely to lean siren. It's also important to not the importance of singing to siren, it's their whole thing. Singing and luring in their prey.

->mermaid Mers are a catch-all, but they always have fish tails, whereas sirens may and nymphs are just up in the air completely. You can really apply any mood or aesthetic to being a mer, I've seen them all. It's a great place to start and build off of as you figure things out.

ok I'm going to add some more merish folk below just to provide more options, although it'll only be a few sentences

->selkie Most importantly, they have the ability to shapeshift. I've seen a lot of folk say they are mer or siren, realize that the duality they feel between human and ocean is more of a shapeshifting thing, and then fall into selkie beautifully. Although it is important to remember that in folklore, selkies turn into theriform animals, and not aquatic humanoids.

->gillman Gillmen (like myself) are usually more focused on the uncanny. No strict mood about them, the experience is more about the in-between. Could be man, could be fish. Too fish to be man, too man to be fish. That being said, there are like maybe two others who call themselves gillmen so my intel on this is mostly looking at myself.

->nixie I've met very few nixie, but they are similar to nymphs in that they are benevolent and kind. They tend to have a more shy edge to them. More girlish, it seems. Younger. Although that could still just as easily be the same with nymphs.

I hope this was what you were looking for! There are a few differences about how we look and function, but outside of that it mostly boils down to mood. What things about yourself make you feel correct? What urges do you have that may be reflected in these creatures? Is there a specific biome you're drawn to? Go look at illustrations of these creatures and think about which ones you feel reflect you.

And keep in mind that there is no shame in changing your mind or being wrong! All us merish beasts will support and cheer for you no matter how much you flipflop. Even if you decide none of these are You, we will still be by your side :]

For the life of us, we can’t figure out what we were or where our memories come from. It’s even harder as a system, because we all have different memories to unpack that could potentially all mean different things.

Here is what we remember: