Florida biologists recently caught a fish with an unusual curved spine, photos show.
In a Facebook post on Tuesday, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Institute shared a photo of a smiling biologist holding the unusual fish.
Officials said the aquatic creature was 2.7 feet long and weighed 10.6 pounds.
This fish was caught at Silver Glen Springs, a beautiful spring in the Ocala National Forest.
Silver Glen Springs is located about 70 miles north of Orlando.
“Another interesting find,” the Facebook post read, “Our biologists caught this Longnose Gar (Lepisosteus osseus) during an electrofishing survey in Silver Glen Springs.”
“Unlike the spinally deformed bull shark we featured a few weeks ago, this fish likely acquired its interesting shape through a spinal injury at some point in its life,” the post added.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Institute noted that while the fish’s appearance may scare some people, the species is not a threat to humans.
“While the longnose gar may look fearsome with its razor-sharp teeth and armour-like scales, it is not a threat to humans and plays a vital role as an apex predator in many of Florida’s freshwater ecosystems,” the statement added.
local residents commented on the Facebook post.
“Pretty amazing,” one person wrote.
“That woman has a beautiful smile!” said another employee.
Longnose Gar can be found in the freshwater areas of Florida. This fish can grow up to 6 feet long.
