[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-Wat...56613481&psc=1

Florida fresh water fish.

[Taltarzac725]

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

[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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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BINGO! Thanks.

Armored Catfish - Profile | Facts | Size | Aquarium | Lifespan - SeaFish
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[noslices1]

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

[Andyb]

Originally Posted by 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 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]

Originally Posted by 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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Do-Do-Do-Do, Ohhhh, the Twilight Zone! Sure is weird, never saw anything like it. Did you have anybody look at it?

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by noslices1

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

[GregG7]

Originally Posted by 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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It was still there this morning (Tuesday, Nov 30).