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item---7-- on joint VDO http://thainews.prd.go.th/newsenglish/prev...php?news_id=778

A strange looking fish surprised local villagers in Phuket.

This peculiar looking fish - a mix between a fresh water cat fish and an alligator or crocodile – was caught by a Nareuphol Sa-Nguannam in the Chalong area. The fish is one metre long and weighs around 20 kilograms. Nareuphol caught the fish while fishing in a local pond with his fishing rod. He said he was surprised to see that the fish looks like cat fish and alligator and notified the fisheries office to pick it up as he is concerned about the fish’s safety if it stays in the pond.

Andaman News NBT (VHF dial) + Radio Thailand FM90.5 at 8.30am & perhaps repeats on Phuket Cable TV channel 1 at 7pm & 1am, broadcast to Phang Nga, Krabi & Phuket provinces & maybe Mazz Radio FM108 at 7pm in Phuket, Thursday 30th, 2008 & http://thainews.prd.go.th/newsenglish/ & www.YouTube.com/AndamanNews.com Send comments to [email protected]

or

item---7-- on joint VDO http://thainews.prd.go.th/newsenglish/prev...php?news_id=778

A strange looking fish surprised local villagers in Phuket.

This peculiar looking fish - a mix between a fresh water cat fish and an alligator or crocodile – was caught by a Nareuphol Sa-Nguannam in the Chalong area. The fish is one metre long and weighs around 20 kilograms. Nareuphol caught the fish while fishing in a local pond with his fishing rod. He said he was surprised to see that the fish looks like cat fish and alligator and notified the fisheries office to pick it up as he is concerned about the fish's safety if it stays in the pond.

But does it taste like chicken?

It's an Alligator Gar (Lepisosteus spatula). They are a species native to the USA/Mexico but was introduced to Thailand (and other countries) for private fishing lakes. That one is just a baby!

Which one are you, phaeton?

Which one are you, phaeton?

I'm the scaly one with the big nose. Shortly after the photo was taken I ate the two losers in shorts... with fava beans and nice chianti... shlurrrrp!

It's an Alligator Gar (Lepisosteus spatula). They are a species native to the USA/Mexico but was introduced to Thailand (and other countries) for private fishing lakes. That one is just a baby!

Oh my god, how scary - does it bite? Is it fresh water only or... where does it live? An introduced species can harm the balance of ecology in local environments. Can it harm tourists like the box-jellyfish?

Fire away!

Interesting fish........

http://www.megafishingthailand.com/content/view/88/53/

Freshwater only and should only be in private lakes like Bung Sam Lan Lake near Bangkok stocked for sports fishing. Makes you wonder where those in the original video got theirs.

If you see folks fishing with a rod in one hand and a shotgun in the other, probably best not to go swimming.

We used to catch Long Toms near Exmouth in Western Australia. The one pictured is just an average to small size. Lots of fun to catch as they tail walk all over the place, but you have to keep your fingers out of the way of the business end!

But they are nothing compared to their big brothers pictured above!!

BTW that's not me in the pic.

Do you eat those alligator gars?

Do you eat those alligator gars?

Given some of things I've seen Thais eat I think the the answer would be "Try and stop 'em..."

In fact, since these fish should only be found in private lakes, the word 'poaching' springs to mind...