Mermaid

A life state · Featured in:

The Sims Wiki's Featured Article for February 2014.

Mermaid is a life state that was introduced in The Sims 3: Island Paradise and reintroduced in The Sims 4: Island Living.

Mermaids (also known as merpeople and merfolk) are creatures of the ocean and water, that can be encountered by diving or just taking a stroll in a boat in the sea. They are also capable of living on land.

The Sims 3: Island Paradise

Becoming a mermaid

Mermadic Kelp

A Sim can become a mermaid by ingesting mermadic kelp, which can be obtained either by becoming good friends with a mermaid and using the "Ask About Fish Parts" interaction while both the Sim and the mermaid are underwater, or purchasing the “Mermadic Kelp” lifetime reward for 25,000 lifetime happiness points. Note that other life states cannot become mermaids even if they eat the mermadic kelp, unless mods are used. They have to become normal Sims before they can turn into a mermaid. Mermaids cannot be created manually or shared on the exchange, since EA wanted them to be an exclusive life state. However, it is still possible to share households with normal Sims, and at least one piece of Mermadic Kelp in a Sim’s inventory to instantly turn them into mermaids.

Upon becoming a mermaid, the Sim's favorite food will be replaced with kelp.

Being Born

Mermaid is a genetic life state. There is a 50% chance a child will be a mermaid for each mermaid parent. If both parents are mermaids the child will be 100% mermaid. And because it is a life state it can't have another life state, for example, it can't become a zombified mermaid, despite being a secondary life state that can be combined with another major life state.

Note

Even if Supernatural is installed, mermaids cannot be created in Create a Sim.

Appearance

While in water, Mermaids have a colorful scaly fish/dolphin tail in place of legs. Males have a tail with a straight fin like a shark, and go shirtless, while females wear a seashell bikini top and have tails that end in a classic dolphin-shaped fluke. On land, a mermaid's tail will transform into a scaly pair of legs of the same color. Mermaids have their scaly legs from childhood, but their legs won't transform into a tail while in water until the Sim is a teenager. Mermaids cannot wear socks as the scales will replace socks.

The color of a mermaid's scales and, if female, seashell bikini top can be customized by using the "Change Scale Color" interaction via mirrors.

Needs

Mermaids have the same needs as regular Sims, with two main differences:

• Hydration: In place of Hygiene, there is a "Hydration" need, similar to water for a PlantSim. This can be satisfied by swimming in the ocean or a pool, using the shower or bathtub, or relaxing in a hot tub. Oddly, they won't satisfy it by washing their hands at a sink. If The Sims 3: Seasons is installed, they can also hydrate by standing in the rain. Dehydration will cause the Sim to dry out, giving them a negative moodlet. Eventually, they will pass out, and if another Sim does not splash water on them, they will die.
• Hunger: Mermaids don't get much energy from normal meals. Instead, they require fish and kelp. Fish can be caught from fishing or while scuba diving and can be eaten raw. Fish can also be bought at the grocery store. If a Mermaid has the vegetarian trait, eating fish will make them nauseous, unless they have the Lifetime reward “Simmunity”. Kelp can be harvested from diving areas or purchased from the grocery. If a mermaid's hunger need is very low, eating two pieces of kelp is enough to fully replenish it. If The Sims 3: World Adventures is installed, pemmican from the Special merchant is the only other food besides sea food that fully restores their Hunger need.

Even if a Mermaid is well hydrated, they need to swim in the ocean (or a large lake, e.g. in Oasis Landing) at least once every 48 hours, otherwise, they'll get a "Salt Water Deficiency" moodlet. Within a day this will turn into "Adapting to Land" and when this moodlet expires, the mermaid will turn into a normal Sim. Purchasing the "Permanent Mermaid" lifetime reward will prevent the Mermaid from losing their occult status.

If a mermaid is near a fireplace or in the sun for a while (including warm temperatures if Seasons is installed), or even if they are in a rabbit hole on a warm day despite the rabbit holes having normal temperature^[TS3:S] inside, they will get a moodlet ( "Drying Up") causing their Hydration motive to plummet between 3× and 4× faster than usual until they move away and the moodlet expires. The moodlet has a countdown of three hours from after the Sim has retreated from the warm weather; being in a rabbit hole, including their workplace, is not counted by the game as retreating.

If they are at work when the Hydration motive reaches 0, they will leave work for the specific purpose of fainting on the floor outside.

Abilities

Mermaids have various water-related special abilities. They can breathe and stay underwater indefinitely, and will not get the "Depressurising" moodlet when returning to the surface. This makes the Lungs of Steel lifetime reward useless for them. Mermaids swim faster than normal Sims on the surface and underwater. Once a mermaid becomes a teenager they will automatically maximize their Scuba Diving skill. Mermaids do not need umbrellas when it rains,^[TS3:S] and they will get a positive moodlet when they get soaked.

Like normal Sims, mermaids who possess a conch shell are able to summon another mermaid they have met. Mermaids with the Mean Spirited or Evil trait are able to summon sharks to attack other divers. Mermaids are safe in their aquatic environment and will not be attacked by sharks, however, they can be attacked by the cave monster. If mermaids are on a boat, they will not be attacked by the Kraken. Mermaids swim much faster than normal Sims and prefer swimming over using boats. They’ll always win in breath holding contests, unless they’re doing this with another mermaid. They’ll also have a few new water related topics to talk about.

Hidden island

One of the hidden islands in Isla Paradiso can be unlocked by becoming good friends with a mermaid in one of the diving areas. After befriending them, the mermaid will come up and offer to show the location of mermaid's secret island, and then the player will unlock it.

Other

Mermaid Sims love to swim to their destinations, occasionally resulting in them taking massive detours that are several hours longer than cars or taxi boats. One of many examples is that they may choose to swim straight across the Twinbrook lake to get from the swamp area to River Junction Beach Park, despite a taxi car being approximately an hour faster.

In sharp contrast to mermaids in many other pop culture medias, mermaids in Island Paradise retain their legs (although with scales) when showering or using a bathtub. Nothing happens to them during full moons^[TS3:SN] either.

Hydration motive

Mermaids' autonomy and intelligence in regards to Hydration motives, leaves much to be desired (Sorted from worst to best):

• They will never autonomously use, no matter how close to death they are:
  • Showers.
  • Bathtubs, not even if a bubble bath bottle is placed on it.
  • Ocean swimming if the ocean/lake is within the lot's borders.
  • Dive wells.^[TS3:WA]
  • Hot tubs.
  • Shaking a dew plant.^[TS3:ITF]
  • Saunas.^[Store]
• Doesn't improve their Hydration motives anyway:
  • Washing their hands or brushing their teeth at a sink.
  • Drinking fridge juice.
  • Eating fridge soup.
  • Drinking coffeemaker beverages.
  • Splash in puddles.
  • "Get Drinks" at a diner or bistro.
  • Being at work in a rabbit hole.
  • Standing within the spray of a Build Mode fountain.
  • Drinking nectar.^[TS3:WA]
  • Participating in an apple bobbing contest.^[TS3:S]
  • Drinking keg juice.^[TS3:UL]
  • Using the Sonic Shower.^[TS3:ITF]
  • Drinking from the Drink Synthesizer.^[TS3:ITF]
  • Using the Not So Routine Machine.^[Store]
  • Standing under the gardening station.^[Store]
• They can autonomously use, but will never use them long enough to be even close to filling the Hydration motive:
  • All-in-one bathrooms.
  • Sink sponge washing (Requires the Inappropriate trait).
• The only known ways they'll autonomously fill Hydration to full on land-based lots:
  • A swimming pool
  • A sprinkler.
  • A lawn water slide (Note that using a lawn water slide for this can take several hours).
  • Riding a rollercoaster ride^[Store] that contains the Sky High Roller Coaster Dead Man's Drop part.

Exclusive things mermaids can do

• Swim around 50~70% faster than other Sims.
• Eat all fish types raw (Werewolves can eat some fishes too, but not all of them).
• Eat regular kelp.

Things mermaids cannot do

• Drown.
  • If a mermaid starves to death while in a pool, the mermaid will curl up on the water surface as if it was non-pool ground.
• Wear socks.
• Obtain the Bot fan trait under normal circumstances.
• Have a favorite food other than kelp.
  • This also means they cannot successfully "Order Favorite Food" from a waiter at a food synthesizer café.
• Purchase the "Lungs of Steel" lifetime reward, in large part as they can already breathe underwater indefinitely.
• Should they faint from the Dehydrated moodlet and be on the verge of death, they cannot soak up water from nearby sprinklers, nor from puddles they may be laying on. Effectively, if they faint indoors in a solo household on a residential lot, it's a guaranteed Game Over.

Strangely, they can buy the "Dirt Defiant" lifetime reward, despite it having no effect at all on them.

The Sims 4: Island Living

Mermaids return in The Sims 4: Island Living, occasionally referred to as Merfolk.

Becoming a Mermaid

Create a Sim

Unlike Island Paradise, in Island Living mermaids can be created via CAS under occult state. Players can change the appearance of the mermaid features alongside the human form either together or unlinked.

Mermadic Kelp

Sims can become Mermaids by eating Mermadic Kelp. Once a Sim ingests Mermadic Kelp, they will be given a "Strange Sensations" +3 Energized moodlet; then the Sim must enter the water and swim in order to complete the transition and grow a tail. If the moodlet runs out, the Sim will no longer turn into a Mermaid upon entering the water and must eat Mermadic Kelp again if they wish to become one. It can't have any other life states; for example, it can't be a vampiric mermaid.

Mermadic Kelp can be obtained in a specific ways:

• Buying from a Rewards Store for 500 satisfaction points.
• A rare chance to obtain 10 kelps when exploring cave in Mua Pel'am.
• After befriending a dolphin and ordering it to "fetch", there's a rare chance that dolphin will bring the kelp.
• A rare chance to obtain when fishing anywhere in Sulani.
• A very rare chance to find when digging through a sand on a beach in Sulani.
• Using the bb.showhiddenobjects cheat it is possible to buy mermadic kelp in build mode.

Being Born

Mermaids are a genetic life state. There is a 50% chance a child will be a mermaid for each mermaid parent. If both parents are mermaids the child will be 100% mermaids. While the pack did not include a Merfolk themed bassinet at launch, one was added to Island Living in Patch 192.

Appearance

Mermaids have an array of different looks. Within CAS, players can give them four different tails with many different colors, and multiple tops for female mermaids. Mermaids can also have different skin tones of their own, they can have special scales on their face, different eyes with unique eye colors, and a new set of teeth that resemble shark teeth. Mermaids can have different skin tones based on ocean colors.

Mermaids resemble regular Sims on land, however, once they enter a body of water, either the ocean, pools, or bathtubs, they will grow a tail. The color of a Mermaid's tail and other features can be customized under "Change Sim".

So far there has been no evidence to suggest that the tail and the tail coloring is genetic, rather it is randomized.

Needs

A Mermaid's needs are different from a Sim in one way:

• Hydration - In place of Hygiene, Mermaids have Hydration. Mermaids need to regularly hydrate their skin to stay safe, they can satisfy this need by drinking water, taking a bath, and going into the pool or ocean. Hydration is also needed to use their mermadic powers. Being out in the sun drains their hydration need faster than at night. Staying in pools for too long will start to dry the mermaid's scales due to the chlorine. Hot Tubs also dehydrate the mermaid. Once a Mermaid's hydration need is empty, they will not become human or die; instead, they will remain extremely uncomfortable until they can hydrate their skin. The Forever Fresh reward trait affects Hydration, keeping it at maximum and allowing the mermaid to use their powers without limit.

• Hunger: Unlike in The Sims 3, a mermaid does not need to eat just kelp and fish.

Powers

Mermaids have an array of powers that are based around water. Depending on if they have a good or evil trait; Mermaids have different powers, however, if Mermaids have neither trait, they have all the powers.

• Siren's Lullaby...
  • Aegean's Question (-30 Hydration): This lullaby makes the target Sim tense.
  • Charmer's Lullaby (-30 Hydration): This lullaby makes the target Sim flirty.
  • Inspiring Berceuse (-30 Hydration): This lullaby makes the target Sim inspired.
  • Night's Requiem (-30 Hydration): This lullaby makes the target Sim sad.
• Mermaid's Kiss (-30 Hydration): A Mermaid's Kiss grants whoever is kissed the "Aquatic Breath" moodlet, which temporarily gives Sims the ability to dive underwater for longer periods of time. This ability can be used in and out of water, but is more powerful in water.
• Aquatic Lure (-30 Hydration): Calls fish to nearest water for fishing. It also calls more rare fish.
• Call for Dolphins (-30 Hydration): Calls for dolphins and dolphins the mermaid is friends with.
• Siren's Call (-100 Hydration): Mermaids can lure a Sim to them in the ocean and once near, the Mermaid will dive underwater and drag the Sim down into the water. If repeated enough times can cause the Sim to drown. (Unavailable to Mermaids with Good trait). Mermaids will regain all their needs by performing this action.
• Summon Ocean Threat (-30 Hydration): Mermaids sing a haunting song that summons a black mass underneath their target that swallows the Sim. If repeated enough it can cause the Sim to drown. (Unavailable to Mermaids with Good trait)

If Seasons is installed, these powers are self-interactions:

• Call Clear Skies (-75 Hydration): Clears skies of any rain or thunder. (Unavailable to Mermaids with Evil trait)
• Call Rainstorm (-75 Hydration): Summons a rainstorm.
• Call Thunderstorm (-75 Hydration): Summons a thunderstorm. (Unavailable to Mermaids with Good trait)

Abilities

Mermaids also have a few abilities which don't require hydration:

• Mermaids can utilize conch shells that can be found at the beach to access other abilities; mermaids can blow through the conch shell which will attract nearby Mermaids to the Sim's location.
• Mermaids are naturally great swimmers, they can swim at fast speeds.
• Mermaids can talk to fish, which fills their social need.
• Mermaids can sleep in the water.
• Mermaids can sunbathe in water, however occult skin tones will not tan.
• Mermaids don't need to be level 3 of fitness skill or purchase scuba diving gear to free dive.
• Mermaids can swim within their third trimester of pregnancy, unlike normal Sims.

Turning into a human

Mermaids who wish to no longer sprout a tail when they go into the water can become a regular Sim by ingesting two Mermadic Kelps in a row. After eating two of them, the Mermaid will become a regular Sim.

Death

When mermaids die, their headstone and urn are depicted as a sea-shell. This was added in Patch 170.

Objects

• The statue "Poseidon's Fury" and the "Trident's Spring Fountain" from The Sims 3 Store both show mermaids outside of The Sims 3: Island Paradise. There is also a mermaid statue in Ambitions named Siren's Call.
• The two pieces of mermaid decor in The Sims 3: Seasons named Maya the Mermaid and Mia the Mermaid share names with the two female mermaid NPCs in Isla Paradiso.
• In The Sims 4 Businesses & Hobbies, a mermaid sculpture is placed in the water of Iverstad of Nordhaven.
• In The Sims 4 Enchanted by Nature, a mermaid-like figure is attached to a ship and placed in the water of the Coast of Adhmor of Innisgreen.

Occult states and species

• Mermaids are immune to The Sims 3: Supernatural temporary states, including zombification, Tragic Clown, and Toadification.
  • Zombies will never attempt to eat a mermaid's brain.^{[confirmation needed][TS3:SN]}
• A Sim with the bot fan trait cannot become a Mermaid.^[TS3:ITF]
• Cats take special interest in Mermaid Sims. Cats are twice as likely to follow a mermaid than any other Sims,^[TS3:P] while if The Sims 4: Cats & Dogs is installed, cats will sniff mermaid Sims.

Trivia

• The mermaid is mentioned in The Sims Medieval, in one of the random events on the docks.
• The Sims 3: Seasons has two clothing pieces and a hairstyle which have a look akin to that of a mermaid.
• Mermaids cannot get a tan if they have the pale mermaid skin tone.^{[TS3:S][TS4:S]}
• Mermaids will get a positive moodlet when being soaked, thus eliminating the need for an umbrella.^[TS3:S]
• Pregnant mermaids can swim at the water's surface, but cannot visit scuba diving sites for the duration of the pregnancy.
• If a mermaid goes into labor, they can't have their baby in the sea, they must go to land to give birth, and mermaid babies must grow on land.
• There are several minor references to Disney's The Little Mermaid. Some pre-made mermaids are based on characters from the film, such as Triton King and Mia Azul. When a Sim explores an underwater cave, sometimes a message appears stating, (Sim's Name) he/she found a dinglehopper, or "how many wonders can one cavern hold?"
• In The Sims 3, Mermaids cannot be saved to the bin, created in Create a Sim, or shared on The Sims 3 Exchange. This is due to the developers wanting them to only be special creatures. However, they can be saved and created in Create a Sim in The Sims 4: Island Living and uploaded to the Sims 4 Gallery.
• Mermaids cannot surf on the wave station.^[Store]
• While Mermaids in Island Paradise had few benefits and abilities, mermaids in Island Living are the first to have proper powers that mimic their mythology, such as Mermaid's Kiss and Siren's Call.
• Unlike in Island Paradise, mermaids in Island Living that enter in the bathtubs, will have their tails lying outside the tub.
• Mermaids in Island Living have a twitch where they will randomly imitate a dolphin squeak.
• In The Sims 4, when clicking on a diving buoy as a mermaid Sim, the option to go snorkelling is greyed out, showing the text “Mermaids would never…be caught snorkelling. Very taboo subject.”
• It is impossible for mermaids to keep existing in the worlds of Hidden Springs and Lunar Lakes, as they both lack beaches and/or saltwater. Unless, of course, the Sim has the "Permanent Mermaid" lifetime reward which will prevent them from losing their tail.
• In The Sims 3, mermaids are immune to cold water. When they enter a body of water, be it a pool or the ocean, they will get the "Polar Bear Club" moodlet which indicates their resistance to freezing waters. Interestingly, in The Sims 4, mermaids who are outside in winter in the water will get the "Chilled" negative moodlet and are not resistant to lower temperatures in water.
• Unlike human Sims, mermaids will never get fatigued when swimming.

Gallery

• The Sims 3: Island Paradise
• The Sims 4: Island Living
• Other

Mermadic kelp will turn a Sim into a mermaid

Metamorphosis

A Sim having become a mermaid

Mermaid baby

Mermaid toddler

Mermaid child

Mermaid on land

Mermaid teenager (male) and mermaid child (female)

Mermaid in water

A male mermaid's tail.

A female mermaid's tail.

A pregnant mermaid.

Mermaid ghost of dehydration

Two mermaids having WooHoo underwater

A pod of mermaids

Calling a mermaid

The Sims 3 Island Paradise Mermaid Abilities

Inconvenient Mermaid carved rock, can only be placed on community lots.

Fish Signage store sign / pole sign.

Render art.

While editing a mermaid in Create a Sim a water effect appears over their head, making it look like they are underwater.

A mermaid showing off several new customization options, most notably new eyes and a new set of sharp teeth.

Mermaid feeding a dolphin.

A mermaid back floating on the surface.

A pregnant mermaid swimming in her 3rd trimester.

Mermaid (in human form) using "Charmer's Lullaby" on a Sim.

A mermaid sleeping on a swimming pool.

Mermaid plumbob.

Mermaid icon in CAS.

Mermaids swimming together.

A Mermaid tombstone and urn added in Patch 170.

A Mermaid themed bassinet added in The Sims 4/Patch 192.

Mermaid themed bassinet in live mode.

A mermaid-like figure is attached to a ship and placed in the water of the Coast of Adhmor of Innisgreen.

A mermaid sculpture is placed in the water of Iverstad of Nordhaven.

Non-swimmable mermaid costumes from The Sims 2: Family Fun Stuff.

Siren's Call statue from The Sims 3: Ambitions, available through sculpting or Buydebug.

Mia the Mermaid decoration from The Sims 3: Seasons.

Maya the Mermaid wall decoration from The Sims 3: Seasons, listed in the Kids section.

Poseidon's Fury statue from The Sims 3 Store.

Trident's Spring Fountain statue from The Sims 3 Store. Notably appears similar to a female mermaid's tail.

Other languages

Featured article

This article is a featured article. Its layout and content is an example of excellence on The Sims Wiki.

Dates featured: February 2014.

View past articles · Vote on future Featured Articles · Other Featured Content