Sleeping with the FishesBy: MaryJanice Davidson Series: Fred the Mermaid Fred is a mermaid. But stop right there. Whatever image youre thinking of right now, forget it. Fred is not blonde. Shes not buxom. And shes definitely not perky. In fact, Fred can be downright cranky. And it doesnt help matters that her hair is blue. Being a mermaid does help Fred when she volunteers at the New England Aquarium. But, needless to say, its there that she gets involved in something fishy.