Bizarre gator-like fish with huge jaws and sharp teeth baffles experts after remains are spotted in Singapore – 10,000 MILES from its native home in the US
- Creature was discovered on the banks of the MacRitchie Reservoir in Singapore
- It was seen by passer-bys and reported to authorities who cleared the body
- Animal is thought to be an alligator gar which is native to the southern US
- Believed to have been kept as a pet and released when it got too large
A monstrous fish that looks like a prehistoric relative of the alligator sparked a marine mystery after it was discovered by a Briton in Singapore.
The creature left locals shocked after its remains were discovered on the banks of the MacRitchie Reservoir.
Karen Lythgoe, 31, a Scottish national now living in Asia, said the bizarre creature looked prehistoric.
In fact, it was an alligator gar, a fish native to the south of the US that was probably kept as a pet and released into the reservoir when it got too large.
Authorities say the species produces toxic eggs and is an apex predator and releasing invasive species into the wild without permission could have a disastrous impact on the ecosystems.
A monstrous fish that looks like a prehistoric relative of the alligator sparked a marine mystery after it was discovered by a Briton in Singapore. The creature left locals shocked after its remains were discovered on the banks of the MacRitchie Reservoir
‘There were some people already looking at it from the boardwalk, but that was too far away to see what it was,’ Ms Lythgoe said.
‘We thought it was a crocodile from that position, but it didn’t look quite right, so we went off the path to get a closer look.
‘It wasn’t a crocodile! It was like something you might see in a zoo – it looked prehistoric with its big jaws and teeth.
‘I was shocked and intrigued at how it came to be in the reservoir.’
Imran Kassim, 27, thought it was another predatory reptile. He said: ‘Honestly, it flat out looked like an alligator, especially because a portion of its body was gone – probably eaten by a happy monitor lizard.
‘I was pretty shocked to see it as I thought it was an alligator, and that trail [where the carcass was found] is supposed to be safe other than the cheeky monkeys stealing food, and there have never been huge animals there.
‘It was pretty damn strange, but it looked enough like a lizard with its jaws wide open, that I would have never guessed it was a fish.’
The English common name for Atractosteus spatula are alligator gar, gator, greater gar, garpike, garfish, and Mississippi alligator gar.
The alligator gar has been commercially fished in the south of the US along with other gar species, and has also been fished and bow-fished.
The meat of the alligator gar has been commercially sold.
It has strong jaws and its eggs are poisonous, causing illness if consumed by humans.
Now the creature has been identified – but the answer has only deepened the mystery.
In a joint statement, the city’s water agency and National Parks Board said the creature was an alligator gar – a fish native to the United States, 10,000 miles away.
The species has been called a ‘living fossil’ because so much of its biology can be traced back to its earliest ancestors.
As for how the creature ended up in Singapore, authorities assume it was kept as a pet and released once it had grown too large.
According to local media, juvenile alligator gar can can be purchased from local fish merchants and are just eight inches long (20cm).
‘We would like to remind everyone that the release of these animals will disrupt our delicate aquatic ecosystem and may also pose a risk to users of our water bodies,’ the authorities add.
Ms Lythgoe said: ‘I’m shocked someone could be so irresponsible to release that into the wild. It’s a top predator so it really affects the ecosystem.’
Mr Kassim added: ‘It’s pretty irresponsible to release a wild animal in those waters as it could have affected the wildlife here due to it being an invasive species and laying highly toxic poisonous eggs.
‘Please think before you get a pet or adopt, do your research beforehand and don’t do it if you can’t commit to taking care of it until the animal’s death.’
Releasing animals into reservoirs and waterways is punishable with a fine of up to SG$3,000 (£1,600) under Singapore law. The Singapore water agency has now removed the carcass.
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