Orang Ikan

The Orang Ikan (meaning human fish) is an aquatic humanoid cryptid reported from the Kai Islands in eastern Indonesia. It was sighted by the Japanese toward the end of World War II.

Description[]

Simply put, this is a humanoid with fish-like characteristics. Its body surface is covered in mucous membranes and scales, coated with an extremely viscous, foul-smelling mucus. Its body color is primarily warm tones, ranging from reddish-brown to pink. The head features spines or hair-like structures, and small auricles are also present. Some reports describe the face as resembling that of an ape, exhibiting both fish-like characteristics and multiple mammalian features.

It normally lives underwater but is capable of coming ashore. It is believed to be capable of upright bipedal walking on land.

When standing upright, it reaches a height of 1.2 to 1.5 meters (4 to 5 feet). In the book “超・怪奇ファイル UMA未確認生物大図鑑DX”, it was estimated to weigh 65 kilograms (approximately 143 pounds).

Japanese publications sometimes mention that this may be related to the Canvey Island Monster. Meanwhile, cryptozoologist Brent Swancer pointed out similarities with the Thetis Lake Monster.

This is not a ferocious creature and does not harm humans. Local villagers recognize this animal, and there are reports that it is consumed as food.

Sightings[]

In March 1943, a man named either Komataro Horiba（堀場駒太郎）or Taro Horiba, depending on the source, saw an Orang Ikan in the Kai Islands. He observed two creatures playing in a coastal lagoon.

A few days later, Horiba was summoned by the island's village chief and shown the carcass of an Orang Ikan that had washed ashore that same day. It measured 160 centimeters in length, its body surface covered in algae. It possessed hair extending to the shoulders, a spiny neck, and small auricles. Its mouth resembled that of a carp, lacking lips and densely packed with broad, needle-like teeth. The fingers of its limbs were long, with webbing between them.

Additionally, though the timing relative to Horiba's experience is unclear, other Japanese soldiers had also witnessed similar creatures.

One person spotted a figure resembling a child on a moonlit beach, but noticed its facial features were not human. The creature plunged into the sea and never surfaced again.

Another person reported seeing a similar creature swimming in a manner resembling the breaststroke.

Trivia[]

In 2024, a film titled “Orang Ikan,” based on this cryptid, was produced as a co-production between Singapore, Indonesia, Japan, and the United Kingdom.

Source[]

book:天野ミチヒロ（2006）本当にいる世界の「未知生物」案内　ISBN 978-4773003284
book: 実話マッドマックス編集部（2007）あなたの知らない未確認生物本当にいる!UMAの正体 2 (コアコミックス 84) ISBN 978-4862522498
book: 天野ミチヒロ（2016）大迫力! 世界のUMA 未確認生物大百科 ISBN 978-4791624874
book:ながたみかこ（2018）図解大事典　未確認生物UMA ISBN 978-4405072800
book:山口敏太郎（2019）ふしぎな世界を見てみよう! 未確認生物大図鑑 ISBN ‎978-4471103590
book: 未確認生物ミステリー研究会（2020）超・怪奇ファイル UMA未確認生物大図鑑DX ISBN 978-4791629213
book:朝里樹（2020）世界現代怪異事典　ISBN 978-4305709257
book:朝里樹（2021）世界の都市伝説大辞典 ISBN 978-4405073357