New Species Discovered?

Well, maybe; maybe not.

Interestingly enough, I caught this strange looking Bluefish-Mahi Hybrid looking oddity.

I am interested to know precisely WHY it looks the way it does.

My first SWAG at it would be a Bluefish with a possible "fryhood" injury that resulted in the stubby head shape.

Other possibilities might be inbreeding or genetic mutations causing such a deformity.

For all we know, there "could" be an oddball species we haven't discovered--although HIGHLY unlikely.

At any rate, I have preserved the specimen for further research just to be for certain. ;)

Here are the photos for your scientific pleasure.

Has all the makings of a Bluefish--but, could it be more?

Judge it for yourself.


http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/...-49-12_547.jpg
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/...-49-41_775.jpg
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/...-50-05_505.jpg


Here goes regular Bluefish for close comparison.

http://www.sawyercharters.com/Sept1308.gif

VG,

I suspect that what you have is just a bluefish with a congenital deformity. This type of thing is seen quite a bit in fish culture (hatcheries) and though not as common, does occur in wild fish populations. Severe deformity usually results in mortality, but your fish was able to live with it. At least until he ran into you :poke1:

flea

+ 1 it looks like a deformed bluefish, though a curious one.

Have you emailed the pics to Dr Bob Shipp? :headbang: :bow:
rshipp@jaguar1.usouthal.edu

[quote author=Pier#r link=topic=500.msg4529#msg4529 date=1326918391]
+ 1 it looks like a deformed bluefish, though a curious one.

Have you emailed the pics to Dr Bob Shipp? :headbang: :bow:
rshipp@jaguar1.usouthal.edu
[/quote]

One interesting thing I also noticed was his teeth were no where near as large or sharp as a normal bluefish. That he survived at all with this abnormality without being devoured by his siblings is astounding,

I also agree, certainly a bluefish at first glance, but injury or deformity? That is the question. It amazes me--the things some creatures live through!

We caught a redfish last year..it had what appeared to be a youthful injury from a shark that healed. The spine between the gills had solidified and was growing in the shape of a ? mark. From behind the head to the mid dorsal section, all meat had been bitten off down into the top of the spine--flesh covered the vacant area rather than scales. There were no attempts by the dorsal fin to return. It had lived to become an aged bull red--and the only reason we kept it is because a dolphin gnabbed it while reeling it in and crushed its internal organs. Was almost dead once reeled in.

I will probably take this bluefish to Shipp, but not before I collect my own samples! :headbang:

Looks like a Paddle Headed Bluefish. One that survived but maybe shouldnt have.

What did the fish say when he swam into the brick wall??? DAM!!

gnarly looking lil guy

I'd say congenitally deformed blue. If I remember right there are not many (if any) other members of that family.

I bet all the other bluefish made fun of him.

haha almost looks like he's got a little jack crevalle in him