Jump to content

Weird skull. Catfish?


Bone Daddy

Recommended Posts

Finally made it out to the Peace River yesterday - the river is still a little high at most spots, but this winter has been too rainy to be picky about the gauge height.

 

We found some small teeth and the usual minor things - broken mammoth tooth plates, antler, scutes, dugong rib, etc.

 

We did find one oddball thing that I am fairly certain is a catfish skull. At first glance, laying in place, it looked like a snake skull, but on closer examination it appears to be a fish. I did some Google searches, but most of the catfish skulls I saw looked a bit different than this. Gar maybe? Eel? or ?

 

 

fish-1.JPG

fish-2.JPG

fish-3.JPG

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yup. Looks like an armored catfish skeleton to me--Hypostomus plecostomus.

 

Cheers.

 

-Ken

 

47692474_277747649582655_2223634420503306410_n.jpg

 

  • I found this Informative 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

18 minutes ago, digit said:

Yup. Looks like an armored catfish skeleton to me--Hypostomus plecostomus.

Cheers.

-Ken

47692474_277747649582655_2223634420503306410_n.jpg

Hi Ken, 

 

The one you pictured (which is what the OP has found) is Hoplosternum rather than Hypostomus.

  • I found this Informative 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I also do believe this is a Hoplosternum sp. possible "Hoplosternum littorale" also known as kwi kwi catfish.
Lovely fish, we have the related Megalechis thoracata at the store where I take care of the terraria & aquaria section :) 

here is a photo of a full skeleton of Hoplosternum littorale
8d8d6ce2-d145-11e6-8fa4-42c9517f9dc3.jpg.cc6a41e9ee8f3605ef6cfef41b5c173a.jpg

EDIT: They are native to Southern America so this one is like @Peat Burns says indeed an invasive species at your location. 
 

  • I found this Informative 2

Interested in all things paleontology, geology, zoology, evolution, natural history and science!
Professional exotic pet keeper, huge fantasy geek, explorer of the microfossil realm, member of the BVP (Belgian Association for Paleontology), Volunteer prepper at Oertijdmuseum Boxtel.  

View my collection topic here:

The Growing Collection of Ziggycardon
My animal collection at the "Members pet" topic

Ziggycardon's exploration of the microfossil realm

Trips to Eben Emael (Maastrichtian of Belgium)

My latest fossil hunt

 

Next project will be a dedicated prepping space.

 

"A mind needs books as a sword needs a whetstone, if it is to keep its edge." - Tyrion Lannister

 

5d68d9f3c550a_153657011360380104(21).jpg.bda3d3b7ae7b8321dd0620a0c61cc459.jpg5d68da1b497f5_153657011360380104(20).jpg.8610ffc65ccaa5d057e7b52b65989cd0.jpg5d68da353dd03_153657011360380104(24).jpg.ae73afaefa6ab34e7af5f6131aed96ff.jpgsolnhofen.jpg.76dd03ba7eb39946850662021b7d8dd4.jpg166802558255587143.jpg.c38d91e9e45f17addf29c40166b797a2.jpg5d68da49ad887_153657011360380104(25).jpg.dfff987039b3c99f41e44da51f71ae91.jpg

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

4 minutes ago, Peat Burns said:

The one you pictured (which is what the OP has found) is Hoplosternum rather than Hypostomus.

Ah, true. I'm much more used to seeing the plecos on the shallow sandy river bottom as I paddle by in the canoe. The Brown Hoplo (Hoplosternum littorale) is also an invasive to Florida. It does appear to be this species.

 

https://www.fws.gov/fisheries/ans/erss/uncertainrisk/Hoplosternum-littorale-WEB-9-15-14.pdf

 

If there is one thing we have no shortage of in Florida--it's highly invasive exotics. :(

 

 

Cheers.

 

-Ken

  • I found this Informative 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

13 minutes ago, digit said:

Ah, true. I'm much more used to seeing the plecos on the shallow sandy river bottom as I paddle by in the canoe. The Brown Hoplo (Hoplosternum littorale) is also an invasive to Florida. It does appear to be this species.

 

https://www.fws.gov/fisheries/ans/erss/uncertainrisk/Hoplosternum-littorale-WEB-9-15-14.pdf

 

If there is one thing we have no shortage of in Florida--it's highly invasive exotics. :(

 

 

Cheers.

 

-Ken

Ain't that the truth!  It's really sad.  Florida has become the world's aquarium.   When I went fossil hunting there for the first time circa 2003, I saw all these big catfish in the Peace River. I thought "Those look an awful lot like Plecostomus!".  I ended up finding a dead one and was shocked to learn they *were* plecostomus!  

 

Then several years later I fished the ditches along the Tamiami trail and was mortified at all the invasives.  Midas cichlids, Oscars, Acaras, etc.  I later heard that the state had put size / catch limits on oscars!  I don't know if it is true, but that would make no sense.  Of course, I guess I shouldn't be surprised if true, we protect rainbow trout, brown trout, rainbow smelt, pheasant, etc. here in the Great Lakes region - all exotic.:shakehead:

  • I found this Informative 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

That is definitely the critter. I have seen these catfish in the Peace during previous fossil hunts and I had no idea they were invasive. On recent trips, I have started bringing a fishing pole with me and if I catch some of these, I will make sure they end up on the fire and not released back into the river.  :)

 

  • I found this Informative 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

4 hours ago, Bone Daddy said:

if I catch some of these, I will make sure they end up on the fire

Do you know if they're any good grilled? :P 

Max Derème

 

"I feel an echo of the lightning each time I find a fossil. [...] That is why I am a hunter: to feel that bolt of lightning every day."

   - Mary Anning >< Remarkable Creatures, Tracy Chevalier

 

Instagram: @world_of_fossils

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, Max-fossils said:

Do you know if they're any good grilled? :P 

 

I read that they are considered edible in their native lands, so..... of course, people eat a lot of things I would not eat.  LOL.

 

Catfish are hit and miss, depending on species and size. Some taste amazing and others are disgusting. I guess I have to try one to find out.  :)

 

  • I found this Informative 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...