News

Man catches fish with duck beak from Hau River

Tuoi Tre
Updated : Sat, May 5, 2012,2:42 PM (GMT+0700)

Although having a body of a fresh water fish, it has a head looking like an alligator and its skin is like that of a snake

Nguyen Thanh Nhan in Binh Minh district, the Mekong Delta province of Vinh Long last Friday caught a 2 kilo fish that has a jaw looking like a duck beak.

According to Nhan, he was sitting on a boat on Hau River when he saw two strange fish rising up from the water.

He used a net to catch one.

Hearing about Nhan with the strange fish, locals throng his house to watch but no one could tell what kind of fish it is.

Although having a body of a fresh water fish, it has a head looking like an alligator and its skin is like that of a snake.

Currently, Nhan has sent the fish to an eatery with the intention of selling it to anyone who can give him the best price.

According to marine experts at Can Tho University, this is probably a duck beak fish coming from overseas. It is said to be fierce and harmful to humans.

There are established populations of Alligator gar in Asia, just check out Fishing Adventures Thailand's photo gallery... http://www.anglingthailand.com/fish_species/index.htm This is not that unusual and gar are certainly not dangerous to humans. Gotta love journalism.
Written by Garman , 11 May 2012 08:38

I'm with those that commented above-its got to be a baby alligator gar..though how its managed to get to get all the way over there is crazy! maybe it was bought illegally and released? that's how the snakehead found its way to America.
Written by Amanda , 9 May 2012 01:39

its probably an alligator gar.
Written by ryan , 8 May 2012 13:49

Are you kidding me? Its not a duck billed fish...its only an alligator gar, found all over america, and uhm, people...its harmless. Now whether or not its supposed to be found in the Mekong is another story.
Written by Felicia Baize , 8 May 2012 03:20

This is a baby Alligator Gar and is not native to these waters. "The Alligator Gar is the largest exclusively freshwater fish found in North America, measuring 8 to 10 feet (2.4 to 3.0 m) and weighing at least 200 lb (91 kg) at maturity." There may be others in the waters there.
Written by Deb H. , 7 May 2012 06:49

This fish looks like an alligator gar. They are native to North America but may have been released in parts of Asia.
Written by Seasaver , 6 May 2012 14:46


Credit: http://www.underwatertimes.com/