A picture featuring one of the races of merfolk I have, this one here is known as the Alimer. They have strong protective plates that repel most predator's attacks, but the sheer length of their protractile tail makes them horrid swimmers. They make up for it by living sedimentary lives and living in symbiosis with dolphins. Here, one said dolphin retrieves a swept away Alimer child.

Art and alimer belong to me.
Don't repost, recolor, heavily reference, alter, or otherwise use without permission, thanks~