I saw one of these swimming in one of our local parks.

[Chris Kuhn]

[darrin terry]

What is it? It's got tarpon looking features, but is certainly not a tarpon.

[anacrime]

are you sure?

i forget what they're called. one of those illegal exotic fish that tools like to keep and feed mice and stuff.

[Chris Kuhn]

are you sure?

i forget what they're called. one of those illegal exotic fish that tools like to keep and feed mice and stuff.

From what I can tell it is an Arrow Fish. Pretty sure it is an exotic species that was dumped into the lake by some idiot.

[Sasha]

It is an Osteoglossum bicirrhosum and the last time I checked they were not illegal in CA. You sure that was the fish you saw. I only ask because they are found in the Amazon and the water in CA is a bit on the cold side for them.

[Chris Kuhn]

It is an Osteoglossum bicirrhosum and the last time I checked they were not illegal in CA. You sure that was the fish you saw. I only ask because they are found in the Amazon and the water in CA is a bit on the cold side for them.

You know I am not sure but the tail may have been a little different. I think it came to a point like an eel. But it did have the two feelers in the front and had the exact same shaped head. It was also much smaller about 8 or 9 inches.

The lake in question is pretty shallow and I think the coldest it gets is in the 60's.

[briansII]

If it's the same fish as in the picture, it's a arawana(sp?). I see these sold at pet stores. Like you said, some clueless idiot dumped the fish in there.

<edit> I had a buddy that had one of these. I watched him feed it. It's an extremely aggressive fish, and he said it would bite him if he wasn't careful.

briansII

[super dry fly]

I think they are sold as Arawanas at local aquarium stores.

If that is what you saw it would probably be a hoot to hook on a fly rod since they reported to jump up to six feet in the air.

[Chris Kuhn]

Wow that would be cool. I wonder what my chances would be of seeing him again this evening?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ck2JuR7JMNg

[briansII]

Wow that would be cool. I wonder what my chances would be of seeing him again this evening?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ck2JuR7JMNg

If you're able to catch it, it would probably be a good idea not to release it.

That video reminds me of my buddy's fish. He tossed in a goldfish, and before the fish swam 12", the arowana slashed at it and ate it. It threw water all over the carpet. I can see why he didn't want to stick his hand in the water.

briansII

[gabe]

heck if you catch it, go to the nearest Chinese restaurant and see if they'd like to buy it for their aquarium. My good friend has one about 2' long worth a lot of money in the aquarium world.
are you sure you didn't see an eel though? I have seen a few eels at ponds and lakes.
hopefully it wasn't a snakehead that you saw. that would be extremely bad...

[rayfound]

In the lovely body of water I'm sure you found it in.... its no doubt an aquarium release. I know I would try to catch it!

$10 says if its hooked and landed by someone fishing there, its taken home and eaten, even though he has no idea what it is.

[Chris Kuhn]

If you're able to catch it, it would probably be a good idea not to release it.

Yeah I am really hoping there are not 2 of them.

[Chris Kuhn]

In the lovely body of water I'm sure you found it in.... its no doubt an aquarium release. I know I would try to catch it!

$10 says if its hooked and landed by someone fishing there, its taken home and eaten, even though he has no idea what it is.

People look at me like I am nuts when I release fish. Apparently they want the carp harvested.

[Sasha]

This is old but here is some more info on the them for you guys.


http://www.ctsa.org/upload/publication/ ... 460333.pdf