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-   -   Need help - saw this creature on golf course> (https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/villages-florida-general-discussion-73/need-help-saw-creature-golf-course-326826/)

DeanFL 11-29-2021 08:07 AM

Need help - saw this creature on golf course>
 
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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 11-29-2021 08:28 AM

Rotting fish?

Alien?

Calisport 11-29-2021 11:11 AM

Looks like a young monk fish.

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

sail33or 11-29-2021 11:13 AM

I think it is a flathead catfish.

Taltarzac725 11-29-2021 11:22 AM

https://www.amazon.com/Earth-Sky-Wat...56613481&psc=1

Florida fresh water fish.

Taltarzac725 11-29-2021 11:24 AM

Could be a bluegill bass. https://bassfishingfl.com/species/bl...nfish%20family.

sail33or 11-29-2021 12:14 PM

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

petsetc 11-29-2021 12:35 PM

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 11-29-2021 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by petsetc (Post 2035055)
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 11-29-2021 01:52 PM

2 Attachment(s)
Quote:

Originally Posted by petsetc (Post 2035055)
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
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noslices1 11-30-2021 07:16 AM

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

Andyb 11-30-2021 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeanFL (Post 2034936)
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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 11-30-2021 09:35 AM

Ohiobuckeye
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by DeanFL (Post 2034936)
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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 11-30-2021 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by noslices1 (Post 2035217)
Looks like a mutant from some nuclear accident. Better check your hands for radiation.

https://rbcontentlab.com/wp-content/..._Web_Thumb.jpg

GregG7 11-30-2021 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeanFL (Post 2034936)
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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 11-30-2021 10:45 AM

They walk at night all over the golf courses

DeanFL 11-30-2021 11:01 AM

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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 11-30-2021 11:21 AM

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 11-30-2021 11:24 AM

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 11-30-2021 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sail33or (Post 2035050)
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 11-30-2021 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeanFL (Post 2034936)
.
.
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?
.
.

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 11-30-2021 01:32 PM

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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 11-30-2021 04:33 PM

Betcha a buck it's a "walking (or armored) catfish!"
 
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 11-30-2021 05:33 PM

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

sohappytobehere 11-30-2021 05:43 PM

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And the alligators there like them too.

fdpaq0580 11-30-2021 06:34 PM

Good one!
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by CWGUY (Post 2035348)
:icon_wink: Maybe the "Fish Friar" put it there.....:jester:

Monk fish. Fish Friar. Fuuuney!😆😆😆

fdpaq0580 11-30-2021 06:38 PM

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

Topspinmo 11-30-2021 06:58 PM

Invasive armored catfish causing harm to Florida's manatees - ABC7 Southwest Florida

mtdjed 11-30-2021 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fdpaq0580 (Post 2035434)
What do they taste like???
Fishy chicken???
😀😀

Try them at a local lunch special at Sumter Landing.

Jensor17 12-01-2021 06:59 AM

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 12-01-2021 07:55 AM

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 12-01-2021 08:38 AM

Guest
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by RPDaly (Post 2035065)
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 12-01-2021 09:05 AM

Turtle based upon the plates I see.

Madbadger 12-01-2021 09:36 AM

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 12-01-2021 12:08 PM

Hmmm?
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by mtdjed (Post 2035436)
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 12-01-2021 03:07 PM

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


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