The Serious Lifeguard Fish meme typically features a stern, muscular aquatic character—often associated with background characters from popular animated shows like SpongeBob SquarePants. It represents the ultimate rule follower or someone who takes a low-stakes job with life-or-death intensity. Users often utilize this template to mock overzealous authority figures or to express their own hyper-focus on minor infractions like running by a pool or eating before swimming. Its popularity stems from the relatable and often intimidating presence of real-life lifeguards combined with the absurdity of a buff fish in a tiny red swimsuit enforcing order in the deep sea.