Turtle-fish were a supposed race of sea monsters appearing only in the Hobbit-poem Fastitocalon. Turtle-fish appeared as treacherous islands, capable of drowning seafarers, and the last of them was named Fastitocalon.[1]
It is unspecified whether Turtle-fish were a real species, existed only in Hobbit folklore, or were invented by the poet exclusively for the poem.[1]
Other versions[]
In an earlier version of the legendarium, Ulmo, Lord of the Waters, uses a host of giant whales led by Uin, to drag Tol Eressëa towards Aman. Uin reappears in J.R.R. Tolkien's story Roverandom. It is conceivable that Tolkien, in an early phase of the mythology, may have imagined the Turtle-fish to be another one of Ulmo's creatures.
Inspiration[]
J.R.R. Tolkien was inspired by an Old English Bestiary, appearing in the Exeter Book. The idea of giant turtles ultimately derives from Eastern myths, and in the European versions, the monster is often confused with whales.
A fell turtle in the Middle-earth Collectible Card Game, drawn by Quinton Hoover
In adaptations[]
In Middle-earth Role Playing, turtle-fish, also called Fell Turtles and Festitycelyn, are described as monsters that can grow almost fifty feet in length, living both at sea and in large rivers and lakes.
In The Lord of the Rings Online, Dread-turtles with spiky shells appeared, and the largest individual inhabiting in the region of Rohan was referred to as the Fastitocalon.