Posted on 07/08/2024 12:09:16 PM PDT by Red Badger
July 8 (UPI) -- Researchers with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission shared an unusual catch from a recent fish survey -- a longnose gar with a crooked back.
The FWC's Fish and Wildlife Research Institute said biologists were conducting an electrofishing survey in Silver Glen Springs when they found the 2.7-foot-long gar with a bend in its back making it resemble an upside-down letter V.
Researchers said it evoked memories of a recent discovery of a "squiggly" bull shark caught near Titusville that appeared to have scoliosis or a similar spinal deformity.
The FWC said there were some key differences between the fish.
"Unlike the bull shark with a spinal deformity that we shared a few weeks ago, this fish likely got its interesting shape from a spinal injury at some point in its life," researchers wrote.
The gar, which weighed in at about 10.6 pounds, was returned to the water.
"With their razor-sharp teeth and armor-like scales, longnose gar may look scary, but they are no threat to humans, and they play an important role as an apex predator in many of Florida's freshwater ecosystems," the post said.
Florida Ping!....................
Well, whatever you do, do not trust it with your wallet.
I think it’s from an overload of phosphate and other ingredients in fertilizer that are throwing off the balance in all creatures, not just fish
A little crooked fish in a little crooked stream by a little crooked man with little crooked dreams.
Or something...
We call them needle nose gar.
Looks like that fish has a case of Peyronie’s disease
Quick! get that fish some Xiaflex!...............
Creature From the Black Lagoon..
Anyone know a Fish Chiropractor ?
That styrgeon needs a surgeon! (I know - it’s a gar)
“I think it’s from an overload of phosphate and other ingredients in fertilizer that are throwing off the balance in all creatures, not just fish”
The article says injury.
----------LOL-------------
Silver Glen Springs is a first magnitude spring that maintains a year round water temperature of 72 degrees Fahrenheit. The spring discharges about 65 million gallons of water per day that comes from two large vents. The spring and run encompass about 22 acres of water. The springhead is 200 feet in diamter and the spring run flows 3,300 feet into Lake George, the second largest lake in Florida.
The water flowing from the spring has been one of the best in ecological quality from among Florida’s 600 springs. The water coming from the vents is high quality but the quality changes as the water flows into the spring run. Already designated as critical habitat for the manatee, the spring and run have the potential to serve as a major manatee refuge. However, manatee use has been limited due to a high degree of human activity and damage to aquatic vegetation.
If you catch something unusual, bury it and keep your mouth shut. The government will likely use it to take away someone’s property and/or freedom.
so you think fertilizer doesn’t get into the glen? you think Lake George isn’t full of fertilizer? this is wreaking havoc on alot of the eco systems and human bodies
“Unlike the bull shark with a spinal deformity that we shared a few weeks ago, this fish likely got its interesting shape from a spinal injury at some point in its life,” researchers wrote.
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When I was growing up on the Tennessee River, it was customary to pull the alligator gars into your boat and beat them to death with a boat paddle and then let them float down the river so everyone would see them and know they were in the water.
Of course, our alligator gars back then make that one look like a baby.
“so you think fertilizer doesn’t get into the glen? “
Certainly not enough to affect wildlife.
I drink gobs of phosphoric acid every day, and I still don't have flat feet.
yes but can you carry a large pot on the top of your head without having to hold it in place??
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