Der Schwarm/YMMV


 * Harsher in Hindsight: The year of the first publication of the (original German version of the) novel, was also the year of a horrific tsunami in the Indian Ocean.
 * Some Anvils Need to Be Dropped: The main message: Don't pollute the oceans!
 * Squick: The lobster. It is reduced once you learn what exactly happened to it and why it did happen, but it's still squicky.
 * The Woobie: Various characters can be seen as this, including Anawak.