Merggles are the Fraggle version of merfolk — the lower half of a Merggle's body is akin to a fish's tail. They were first seen in the Fraggle Rock episode "Beyond the Pond". When the Great Tree starts to weaken, Red confesses to the Merggles that she poisoned its roots. Mortified, the Merggles commit to journeying to a far-off lake, and lock Red away in a cage. Mervin is the last to leave, whom R
ed convinces to move her closer to the tree in order to communicate with her friends, in exchange for the purchase of two hats. When Gobo arrives, he confirms that the Fraggles stopped poisoning the roots, and the Merggles let Red go. Later, the Merggles visit Fraggle Rock in time for the underwater frolic. Mermer Merggle: (Steve Whitmire) leader
Merboo Merggle: (Kathryn Mullen) keeper of the vision
Merkey Merggle: (Rob Mills) seer of the dark side
Merple Merggle: (Nikki Tilroe) seer of the bright side
Mervin Merggle: (Jerry Nelson) sells hats
Merggles feature prominently in the reboot series Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock. More about Merggle culture is explored over the series' story arc. Merggle language is reminiscent of California surfing slang. The Merggles' most important cultural ritual is the Blue Moon Migration, which occurs once in a generation. They perform an elaborate migration dance (which the Fraggles are invited to watch) before arriving at the cavern, where young Merggles hatch, are named, and join the community. When the water supply of Fraggle Rock is polluted with impure Doozer sticks, the waste causes the Merggles to develop hiccups, interfering with their ability to breathe. The Merggles temporarily move into Boober Fraggle's laundry tubs until the crisis is resolved.
