Posted on 02/17/2021 8:02:32 PM PST by nickcarraway
The carcass of a 'monstrous' fish spotted on Sunday (Feb 14) at MacRitchie Reservoir is the latest sighting of an alien species that is not supposed to be here at all.
It was identified as an alligator gar. The fish, native to North America, can grow to a length of 2.5m, and is known to be released by owners who cannot cope with its size.
Over the past 10 years, more than 20 people have faced enforcement action for illegally releasing animals, national water agency PUB and the National Parks Board (NParks) said in a joint statement on Wednesday.
The carcass of the fish was removed by PUB on Monday.
When such non-native animal populations grow, they compete for natural resources with native biodiversity, the statement said.
In January 2019, around 140 motoro stingrays, which are non-native, were removed from Lower Peirce Reservoir.
According to Dr Tan Heok Hui, an ichthyologist - or marine biologist who studies fish - at the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum, there has been only one capture of an alligator gar in Singapore but it is "rather common" in local fish shops, where juveniles - averaging around 20cm - are sold.
"Its flesh is harvested for food in Mexico, although its eggs are toxic," he added.
Bedok Reservoir, Marina Reservoir and Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park are among the places where the fish has been seen over the past two decades.
While the latest sighting fascinated geologist Karen Lythgoe, who shared it on Nature Society (Singapore)'s Facebook group after chancing across the carcass on Sunday, she was dismayed to discover its origins.
"I was really shocked when I found out that the fish was released in the wild, that's just irresponsible," said Dr Lythgoe.
Under the Public Utilities Regulations, those who release animals into reservoirs and water ways may be fined up to $3,000.
Offenders caught releasing animals in parks and nature reserves face fines of up to $50,000, while those who release wildlife can be fined a maximum of $5,000.
"We would like to remind everyone that the release of animals into our water bodies will disrupt the delicate aquatic ecosystem of our waters and may also pose a risk to users of our water bodies," NParks and PUB said.
The Rio Grand is full of alligator gar. I’ve seen them roll along side the boat when I was fishing in South Texas. They are not a danger to humans.
Would I eat one? No. Nor do I want to eat the needle nose gar (small cousin fo the alligator gar). But some people do. But for that matter some people eat Carp. NOT ME.
I hooked something like that as a kid fishing, but it wasn’t a foot long. Toothy, though. Tossed it back.
The official record is 8’ 5-1/2”, 327 lbs.
Gar are VERY tough to clean. I did it once (36” fish.) That was the last time for me, unless I was starving. Smoked, the meat was actually pretty good, just too much dang work.
My Dad caught one over 6’ long. Most impressive!
Asian Carp are actually quite good tasting, out of decent water. They are filter feeders and eat plankton, so contaminants like mercury are usually very low. The small bones are a pain, though. Possibly a pressure cooker would cook them out.
The correct term is “Undocumented Fish”.
Related to the Bowfin, traced back to the Cretacious, over 100 million years ago. Record is 279 pounds, caught in Rio Grande. Wild-caught go to 360 pounds. Tolerant of saltwater.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alligator_gar
Yea folks bow hunt them on the upper James river..
they can ruin ur day
God certainly has an imagination, doesn’t he???
Carp are bloody fish, and as you said, are very bony.
I pass on them and needle nose gar.
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