Fish ID help

[unknownfish]

I know, this fish doesn't look like your typical aquarium fish, but it may have originated from an aquarium. It was found (already dead) at a freshwater pond inhabited by trout, catfish, and other coolwater species. No idea where it came from or how long it had been there. Description: about 20 inches long, with small scales, paired fins (though not intact on the carcass), adipose fin, rounded or squared (not forked) caudal fin, sharp teeth. Anyone ever seen one like it?


Any help is appreciated. Thanks!

 

[LvTaraMae]

I dont know, but he is very creepy with those sharp teeth! :eek3:

 

[lovemybarbs]

Walleye

 

[J double R]

yep, walleye sounds like an accurate ID for that carcass.

 

[unknownfish]

But...

Walleye

...walleye don't have an adipose fin. Also, the pelvic fins on this fish are more posterior (closer to the anal fin) than the walleye's pelvic fins. Plus the teeth are longer/larger than the teeth of any walleye I've seen.

 

[Sarge_857]

i would say either a northern pike or a muskellunge (musky). ive caught a bunch of em, i know the wrath of their teeth. THEY HURT!

 

[J double R]

...walleye don't have an adipose fin. Also, the pelvic fins on this fish are more posterior (closer to the anal fin) than the walleye's pelvic fins. Plus the teeth are longer/larger than the teeth of any walleye I've seen.

I trust your eyes better than my own due to the fact that you are able to see this thing in person, but i see no fins.

teeth may look larger due to evident decomposition of the head.

 

[lovemybarbs]

i would say either a northern pike or a muskellunge (musky). ive caught a bunch of em, i know the wrath of their teeth. THEY HURT!

This is another good option. I grew up on Bull Shoals Lake. Other than gar, I don't remember many fish with teeth.

 

[jaysen]

could it be a snakehead from the invasion we are suffering?

 

[Notophthalmus]

You didn't mention where it was caught. That would be very helpful for ID.

My first impression was also walleye or sauger, and I'm not ready to rule that out. It's easy to misinterpret carcasses.

It could very well be a trout. Some trout, such as lakers, have pretty serious teeth, and as was mentioned above, they are made to appear longer when the mouth tissues shrivel or rot away.

Definitely not a pike or muskie: http://www.fishingfury.com/ff-content/ti06-pike-skull.jpg