The Mon Calamari, alternatively known as Mon Calamarians, were an aquatic and humanoid species that originated from the planet called Mon Cala. They shared their homeworld with another species, the Quarren.
These Mon Calamari were an amphibian species that walked on two legs and possessed distinct features like high-domed heads, webbed hands, and sizable, goggle-like eyes positioned on the sides of their heads. In addition to webbing, their hands had three suction-cup-like indentations on their palms, along with five fingers tipped with claws: one opposable thumb, a pair of elongated middle fingers, and two considerably shorter outer fingers. Despite having flipper-shaped feet, they could still wear boots designed for humanoid feet. Females could be distinguished from males by their more pronounced chest regions.
The skin of the Mon Calamari would transition from vibrant colors during their youth to a more faded appearance as they aged. Those from the colder, polar regions of their planet were noticeably less colorful compared to those from the tropical areas. Extended periods without water exposure led to their skin drying and peeling, causing painful bleeding that could be used as a form of torture. To endure droughts, their bodies could generate a hibernation shell that enveloped them, inducing a state of biostasis to survive the dry period. Ecologist Elping Tsoo proposed that this stasis could also be triggered by stress or illness; for instance, the Mon Calamari Ghal Tarpfen's protective shell appeared when she contracted the blight. During droughts, they would seek refuge in exposed seabeds, creating a moist, muddy cocoon around themselves and the protective shell. Consequently, retracting the shell in a dry environment could be hazardous and cause suffocation.
Both male and female Mon Calamari had barbels on their chins. A single barbel indicated youth, with more developing as they aged. These barbels also aided in detecting pressure changes underwater. They were strong swimmers, capable of staying submerged for extended durations. The Mon Calamari spawned numerous offspring; Raddus's grandchildren numbered in the dozens, for instance. However, due to the expectation that not all offspring would reach adulthood, they experienced loss less intensely than humans, who reproduced less frequently and in smaller numbers. The early part of a Mon Calamari's life was referred to as their "spawning days."
It was customary for members of royalty or the elite in Mon Cala society to decorate their barbels with ornaments. Loud sneezing was considered impolite by the Mon Calamari.
The Mon Calamari's origins are traced to the planet Mon Cala, which they shared with the Quarren species. Both species held significant influence and were most at ease underwater, where they favored constructing their cities to remain immersed in liquid. However, tensions developed between the Quarren and Mon Calamari, leading to a strained coexistence. Before technological advancements altered Mon Cala's environment, the Mon Calamari occasionally faced droughts, responding by retreating to exposed seabeds and entering suspended animation to endure the dry periods.
During the High Republic Era in 232 BBY, Supreme Chancellor Lina Soh aimed to negotiate a new agreement between the Mon Calamari and the Quarren. Throughout the Clone Wars, the Mon Calamari remained loyal to the Galactic Republic, while the Quarren Isolation League allied with the Confederacy of Independent Systems. The Mon Calamari Knights engaged in battles against the Separatist Quarren. Capitalizing on the political instability, the Karkarodon Separatist adviser Riff Tamson incited conflict between the two species and channeled Separatist military support to the Quarren chieftain Nossor Ri. Tensions reached a critical point when the reigning Mon Calamari King Yos Kolina died under dubious circumstances. The Quarren swiftly challenged his son Prince Lee-Char's claim to the throne, demanding a greater role in governing Mon Cala.
In response to the rising tensions between the Mon Calamari and Quarren, the Republic dispatched a peacekeeping mission comprising Senator Padmé Amidala and her Jedi protector Anakin Skywalker. Following the failure of mediation, both sides prepared for war. Prince Lee-Char and Captain Gial Ackbar readied the Mon Calamari for battle. The Republic also deployed a unit of Clone SCUBA troopers under Jedi General Kit Fisto and the Padawan Ahsoka Tano. With the support of Jedi and Republic reinforcements, the Mon Calamari successfully defended against a Quarren and Separatist assault on Mon Cala city. However, Prince Lee Char and his Jedi and Republic allies were compelled to retreat when the Quarren launched a counter-attack using Hydroid Medusases, massive jellyfish equipped with electrified tentacles.
Under the orders of Count Dooku, the Separatist leader Tamson rounded up the Mon Calamari population in Mon Cala City and transported them to internment camps. Meanwhile, Prince Lee Char, the remaining Mon Calamari forces, and their Republic allies sought refuge in caves near the city. After a failed attempt to smuggle Prince Lee-Char and Senator Meena Tills off-world, the Prince and his Republic and Jedi allies decided to continue resisting the Separatist occupiers, who had begun enslaving the Mon Calamari population. Despite the arrival of Gungan reinforcements from Naboo, the Quarren and their Separatist allies managed to capture most of the Mon Calamari and Republic/Jedi resistance, except for Prince Lee Char and Ahsoka.
Prince Lee-Char resolved to rally Mon Calamari prisoners and persuade the Quarren to expel the Separatist invaders. While attempting to rally prisoners at a Mon Calamari prison camp, he was captured by Separatist forces but managed to secure a meeting with Riff Tamson. By this point, Tamson's relationship with his Quarren allies had deteriorated due to his plans to crown himself as the new ruler of Mon Cala. Tamson sentenced Prince Lee-Char to death, but his plans were thwarted by the Quarren chieftain Nossor Ri, who had a change of heart and instructed his followers to support Ackbar and the Mon Calamari. Together, the Mon Calamari, their former Quarren adversaries, the Republic, Jedi, and the Gungans successfully drove the Separatist forces out of Mon Cala. Following the battle, Lee-Char was crowned as the new king, restoring peace between the Mon Calamari and Quarren.
As the Clone Wars concluded, with the Jedi exterminated and Palpatine ascending to power as Emperor of the newly established Galactic Empire, he subjugated and enslaved the Mon Calamari and occupied Mon Cala. In response, the Mon Calamari threw their support behind the Alliance to Restore the Republic, playing a vital role in providing warships to the Alliance Fleet.
After years of peace, a war erupted between the First Order and the Resistance. Following the Battle of Crait, General Leia Organa led her diminished Resistance forces to Mon Cala to enlist the Mon Calamari people in her cause and secure much-needed Mon Calamari cruisers. King Ech-Char initially hesitated to provide the cruisers but relented after they were betrayed and the First Order took control. Under the guidance of Aftab Ackbar, the Mon Cala fleet joined the broader Resistance effort, contributing to the rebuilding of the Resistance navy.
Notable Mon Calamari included the Rebel Alliance Admirals Gial Ackbar and Raddus, Resistance Colonel Aftab Ackbar, Mon Calamari royals Yos Kolina and Lee-Char, and the engineer Quarrie, who developed the first B-wing starfighters for the rebellion. The Mon Calamari also produced Force-sensitive individuals such as Ephru Shinn, Eekar Oki, and Nahdar Vebb. A Mon Calamari named Karbin served as a commander during the Clone Wars until his ship was lost, leading to his transformation into a cyborg. During the final stages of the Clone Wars, several Mon Calamari musicians performed Squid Lake at the Galaxies Opera House on Coruscant.
The Mon Calamari made their debut in the 1983 film Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi, the concluding chapter of the Star Wars original trilogy. They were first officially identified as Mon Calamarian in the 2016 game Star Wars Rebels: Chopper Chase.
Creature artist Phil Tippett named the species after a calamari salad he consumed for lunch one day.