Fishman

Fishmen in the Dragon Ball universe are sapient bipedal beings who combine human-like body structures with aquatic features. They possess scales covering portions of their bodies, fins that aid in swimming, and gills that allow them to breathe underwater. Their appearance varies, with some looking more human-like with subtle aquatic features and others being distinctly fish-like in their proportions and coloring.

These beings exist as part of Earth's remarkably diverse population, which includes humans, anthropomorphic animals, monster-type Earthlings, and various other sapient species. Fishmen appear to live primarily in or near bodies of water but are capable of functioning on land, making them amphibious in the truest sense. They coexist with the other Earthling types within the planet's unified society.

Fishmen appear at various points throughout the Dragon Ball series, typically as background characters or minor figures in the colorful tapestry of Earth's population. Their presence is consistent with the series' world-building approach, where virtually every environment, from cities to forests to oceans, is populated by beings that blend the familiar with the fantastic.

The Dragon World's oceans are vast and largely unexplored in the series, hosting everything from giant fish and sea monsters to underwater civilizations. Fishmen occupy a niche within this aquatic ecosystem as sapient beings who bridge the gap between the surface world and the deep, capable of interacting with both land-dwelling and ocean-dwelling species.

Fishmen contribute to one of Dragon Ball's most underappreciated strengths: the sheer biological diversity of its version of Earth. In a world where the King is an anthropomorphic dog, dinosaurs serve as pets, and talking animals hold professional jobs, the existence of humanoid fish-people barely raises an eyebrow. This casual acceptance of diversity across species lines is baked into the Dragon World's society at every level.

While Fishmen do not play a central role in any major saga or battle, their existence expands the scope of what "Earthling" means in the Dragon Ball universe. They remind the audience that Earth's population is far stranger and more varied than the human-centric perspective of the main characters might suggest, and that beneath the surface of every ocean in the Dragon World, entire communities of beings live their lives largely untouched by the cosmic battles happening above.