Whether deliberately or accidentally, the Sea Haunt sea monster is similar to the Creature from the Black Lagoon, although it is somewhat more dinosaur-like. The creature, and the entire episode, are somewhat reminiscent of the horror of H. P. Lovecraft, and the claustrophobic atmosphere aboard ship is unique in the series.
Dr. Quest describes the creature as a cross between a Manticore and a Hippocampus. While it's true that both mythological creatures are combinations of other animals, they bear no resemblance whatsoever to the creature in the episode. A Manticore has the head of a man (with long hair and beard), the body of a lion and a serpentine tail with a ball of poisonous spikes at the end. A Hippocampus has the head, forelimbs and body of a horse while the back half of the body is one large fish tail. If the creature in this episode can be compared to any mythological monster, it would be the Bishop Fish: an aquatic monster with fish-like qualities that stood erect on two almost human legs.