Need help - saw this creature on golf course>

[DeanFL]

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Weird and unusual find on Marshview golf course yesterday. Between the 5th & 6th hole, this creature was about 10' between the path and a small pond. Spotted it and ????

I picked it up, turned it over and moved it closer to the path. Never saw anything like this in my life. It was about 14" long and 5" wide. All the 'insides' were picked clean. The remnants were very hard and was like a thin shell. Spiny vertebrae, along with a tail and fins. The shell, in the front had side holes for the eyes and nostrils. When I turned it over it seemed lobster-like with the shell extending a bit underneath.

If I was alone, I would have taken it with me to examine a bit more - but the ladies were scorning me for picking it up, and said "yuck" 8 times. Did take some pics. Home and googled for shell-like fish etc etc. NOTHING came up. I believe that a bird got it somewhere else, and flew/carried it to The Villages where it dropped it.

As I said - weird. Anyone have thoughts?
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[billethkid]

Rotting fish?

Alien?

[Calisport]

Looks like a young monk fish.

I just noticed monk fish are salt water so probably not, but looks the same.

[sail33or]

I think it is a flathead catfish.

[Taltarzac725]

https://www.amazon.com/Earth-Sky-Water-Poster-South-central/dp/B00X6QTF8S/ref=asc_df_B00X6QTF8S/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=242233775507&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=13367601206270573267&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9012333&hvtargid=pla-476656613481&psc=1

Florida fresh water fish.

[Taltarzac725]

Could be a bluegill bass. https://bassfishingfl.com/species/bluegill/#:~:text=Subspecies%20%E2%80%93%20Two%20are%20reco gnized%3A%20the,members%20of%20the%20sunfish%20fam ily.

[sail33or]

Yes, it looks like a monk fish. Probably interesting story on how it got here. Fish Market, Restaurant, etc.

[petsetc]

armored catfish in Florida
– There is another invasive species causing problems in Florida. It's a fish, with a suit of armor, known as Plecostomus, or “Pleco” or the Armored Catfish. Despite the fact that it only eats algae, it's causing problems with one of Florida's most at-risk species.

Grown extensively by fish farms for the tropical fish industry.

[RPDaly]

armored catfish in Florida
– There is another invasive species causing problems in Florida. It's a fish, with a suit of armor, known as Plecostomus, or “Pleco” or the Armored Catfish. Despite the fact that it only eats algae, it's causing problems with one of Florida's most at-risk species.

Grown extensively by fish farms for the tropical fish industry.

yes - a very common aquarium catfish from the Amazon area. Very invasive especially in southern Florida. Thankfully we don't have their iguana or python problem - yet.

[DeanFL]

armored catfish in Florida
– There is another invasive species causing problems in Florida. It's a fish, with a suit of armor, known as Plecostomus, or “Pleco” or the Armored Catfish. Despite the fact that it only eats algae, it's causing problems with one of Florida's most at-risk species.

Grown extensively by fish farms for the tropical fish industry.

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BINGO! Thanks.

Armored Catfish - Profile | Facts | Size | Aquarium | Lifespan - SeaFish (https://www.seafishpool.com/armored-catfish/)
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[noslices1]

Looks like a mutant from some nuclear accident. Better check your hands for radiation.

[Andyb]

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Weird and unusual find on Marshview golf course yesterday. Between the 5th & 6th hole, this creature was about 10' between the path and a small pond. Spotted it and ????

I picked it up, turned it over and moved it closer to the path. Never saw anything like this in my life. It was about 14" long and 5" wide. All the 'insides' were picked clean. The remnants were very hard and was liken a thin shell. Spiny vertebrae, along with a tail and fins. The shell, in the front had side holes for the eyes and nostrils. When I turned it over it seemed lobster-like with the shell extending a bit underneath.


If I was alone, I would have taken it with me to examine a bit more - but the ladies were scorning me for picking it up, and said "yuck" 8 times. Did take some pics. Home and googled for shell-like fish etc etc. NOTHING came up. I believe that a bird got it somewhere else, and flew/carried it to The Villages where it dropped it.

As I said - weird. Anyone have thoughts?
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I have lived here all my life and have never seen anything like that. Appears to be an invasive fish. I would highly suggest you contact the Florida Wildlife Commission (FWC).

[OhioBuckeye]

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Weird and unusual find on Marshview golf course yesterday. Between the 5th & 6th hole, this creature was about 10' between the path and a small pond. Spotted it and ????

I picked it up, turned it over and moved it closer to the path. Never saw anything like this in my life. It was about 14" long and 5" wide. All the 'insides' were picked clean. The remnants were very hard and was like a thin shell. Spiny vertebrae, along with a tail and fins. The shell, in the front had side holes for the eyes and nostrils. When I turned it over it seemed lobster-like with the shell extending a bit underneath.

If I was alone, I would have taken it with me to examine a bit more - but the ladies were scorning me for picking it up, and said "yuck" 8 times. Did take some pics. Home and googled for shell-like fish etc etc. NOTHING came up. I believe that a bird got it somewhere else, and flew/carried it to The Villages where it dropped it.

As I said - weird. Anyone have thoughts?
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Do-Do-Do-Do, Ohhhh, the Twilight Zone! Sure is weird, never saw anything like it. Did you have anybody look at it?

[JMintzer]

Looks like a mutant from some nuclear accident. Better check your hands for radiation.

https://rbcontentlab.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/36/2017/06/Simpsons_Blinky_Web_Thumb.jpg

[GregG7]

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Weird and unusual find on Marshview golf course yesterday. Between the 5th & 6th hole, this creature was about 10' between the path and a small pond. Spotted it and ????

I picked it up, turned it over and moved it closer to the path. Never saw anything like this in my life. It was about 14" long and 5" wide. All the 'insides' were picked clean. The remnants were very hard and was like a thin shell. Spiny vertebrae, along with a tail and fins. The shell, in the front had side holes for the eyes and nostrils. When I turned it over it seemed lobster-like with the shell extending a bit underneath.

If I was alone, I would have taken it with me to examine a bit more - but the ladies were scorning me for picking it up, and said "yuck" 8 times. Did take some pics. Home and googled for shell-like fish etc etc. NOTHING came up. I believe that a bird got it somewhere else, and flew/carried it to The Villages where it dropped it.

As I said - weird. Anyone have thoughts?
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It was still there this morning (Tuesday, Nov 30).

[Speedie]

They walk at night all over the golf courses

[DeanFL]

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I'm the OP - to the folks here that identified and answered. THANKS! It was irritating me that Google did not ID what I searched for... but never thought to use "armor". And I was kicking myself for not bringing it home...in case it was a 1 in 1 million find.

THIS is what ToTV is the best at. Providing information/answer in many cases. This was one of them.

Again, THANKS!
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[Tblue]

Maybe 4 years ago I found something very similar on one of the bike trails. It appeared to be some kind of fish that had dried out from the sun. It was at least a hundred yards from water? My thoughts at the time were maybe some kind of bird had just dropped it.

[Roron123]

That’s a type of Catfish, I think they call it Armoured Catfish! When it rains they can get out through the drains as I rescued one and took it to a lake and it swam of happily! I always carry a towel just in case !

[CWGUY]

Yes, it looks like a monk fish. Probably interesting story on how it got here. Fish Market, Restaurant, etc.

:icon_wink: Maybe the "Fish Friar" put it there.....:jester:

[sdifede313@aol.com]

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Weird and unusual find on Marshview golf course yesterday. Between the 5th & 6th hole, this creature was about 10' between the path and a small pond. Spotted it and ????

I picked it up, turned it over and moved it closer to the path. Never saw anything like this in my life. It was about 14" long and 5" wide. All the 'insides' were picked clean. The remnants were very hard and was like a thin shell. Spiny vertebrae, along with a tail and fins. The shell, in the front had side holes for the eyes and nostrils. When I turned it over it seemed lobster-like with the shell extending a bit underneath.

If I was alone, I would have taken it with me to examine a bit more - but the ladies were scorning me for picking it up, and said "yuck" 8 times. Did take some pics. Home and googled for shell-like fish etc etc. NOTHING came up. I believe that a bird got it somewhere else, and flew/carried it to The Villages where it dropped it.

As I said - weird. Anyone have thoughts?
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Get in touch with a marine biologist in the nearest university. Send them the photos and or store the animal for later use if possible. Please let us know the outcome. Thank you.

[MDLNB]

It appears to be a zombie fish. The only way to kill a zombie fish is a spike or knife through the brain. They will attack you and suck your brain out if you are not careful. It's the beginning of the zombie apocalypse.

[Baldbaron]

This is not a joke. This prehistoric-looking critter infests many of our ponds, and actually "walks" on its elongated pectoral fins. For proof, Google images of "armored catfish." My guess that an eagle grabbed him, dropped him, and other wildlife enjoyed an unconventional Thanksgiving meal...

[sohappytobehere]

You can see these all the time at the Fenney springs. My friend Sam photographed these great shots.

[sohappytobehere]

And the alligators there like them too.

[fdpaq0580]

:icon_wink: Maybe the "Fish Friar" put it there.....:jester:

Monk fish. Fish Friar. Fuuuney!😆😆😆

[fdpaq0580]

What do they taste like???
Fishy chicken???
😀😀

[Topspinmo]

Invasive armored catfish causing harm to Florida's manatees - ABC7 Southwest Florida (https://abc-7.com/news/2021/11/10/invasive-armored-catfish-causing-harm-to-floridas-manatees/)

[mtdjed]

What do they taste like???
Fishy chicken???
😀😀

Try them at a local lunch special at Sumter Landing.

[Jensor17]

It looked like it’s shape of a horseshoe crab but it has a Skeleton, which crabs do not have .
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[chuckpedrey]

I have sent a photo by text message to the Jacksonville zoo for identification of a baby snake I found on my front porch and the are very accommodating. Call their general information number to ask to be connected with someone who might be able to help you.

[airdote22]

yes - a very common aquarium catfish from the Amazon area. Very invasive especially in southern Florida. Thankfully we don't have their iguana or python problem - yet.

Pythons have 2 litters a year with up to 50 in each litter.

[Mebnj]

Turtle based upon the plates I see.

[Madbadger]

Looks like a hoplo, it is an armored catfish, invasive, found in creeks, ponds marshes, just a guess. Check out Florida Fish and Wildlife. They have pics of most fish in FL waters. You can check for fresh water and salt water to narrow your search.

[fdpaq0580]

Try them at a local lunch special at Sumter Landing.

You first! 😁😁😁

Actually, if they are safe to eat, then I would give them a try. I have eaten far stranger things during my life. Most of it was pretty good once it quit howling and wiggling.
😆😆😆

[kkingston57]

Noted your ? was answered. Whatever it is Fugly(F..king ugly)