The Mon Calamari are a race of amphibious humanoid beings. They are bipedal, with large eyes, and salmon to dark pink colored skin.
The race began as a race of amphibious, shore dwelling creatures on the planet of Mon Calamari. Although capable of spending long periods underwater, the Mon Calamari typically prefer to stay to the shallows and shores, leaving the ocean depths to their close cousins, the Quarren. The two races together built the floating and underwater cities of Mon Calamari, which they share to the current day.
The Mon Calamari have always been more interested in traveling to the stars then their Quarren cousins, and soon were traveling in space. Unfortunately, this caught the attention of the Empire, who attempted to invade their homeworld before they became too advanced.
Though suffering terrible losses at the hands of the Imperial forces, this only strengthened, rather than broke, the Mon Calamari people's resolve, and they successfully drove off the Imperial invaders. Of course, this placed them solidly behind the Rebellion, and the Mon Calamari proved to be a critical force behind the Rebellion, especially in the establishment of the Rebellion fleet. The Mon Calamari's skilled shipbuilders designed the MC90 capital ship, the Rebellion's largest and most powerful vessel, easily capable of challenging a Star Destroyer.
The Mon Calamari, to this day, are stalwart supporters of the New Republic, and the fight against the evil Empire. Notable Mon Calamari members of the Rebellion and Republic include Admiral Ackbar, commander of the Rebellion fleet at the Battle of Endor.
Mon Calamari, on the whole, make excellent pilots and engineers. While such skills might make for an excellent smuggler, Calamari smugglers are rare.
Calamari have served in ground combat, but extended deployment on dry worlds can affect them badly, and so most Calamari trained in ground combat tend to stay to their homeworld, or other humid ocean worlds.
The Calamari, due to their peaceful nature, can, but don't often, make excellent diplomats. As evidenced by Admiral Ackbar, they can also make excellent commanders. The Calamari are a highly intelligent, adaptable race, and as such are quite capable of a wide variety of things.
The average Mon Calamari are a calm, peaceful people, but will fight hard in defense of themselves or those they care about. Most Mon Calamari are kind, unselfish, and always willing to help those in genuine distress.