Strangest Fish

[JamesMac]

Hey all,

Been a while since I have been on here :silly: .

I took my cast net out to Raby Bay for a throw and a flick.

so 4 am rocked up there I was throwing my net turned around rod's on the ground hahaha. I jumped on it caught my self a lil breambo. about 28cm.

BUT ANYWAY I was throwing my net around and caught this fish (attached)

Does anyone have any idea what it is? I swam just like a normal fish would so I don't think it is a sea horse. It is just so odd?

Thanks guys!

TIGHT LINES!

[Bill_V]

hmm...nope I have no idea haha.....pretty interesting looking critter

[elops]

Parapegasus natans

[Milan]

Parapegasus natans

Beat me to it

[tomartomau]

It mentions that it is a rare species and that they are "data deficient", you might have just ticked up one of a lifetime?

[elops]

Parapegasus natans

Beat me to it

Sorry mate will leave the next one for you

[fishguru5]

Pretty sure it's a dragon flathead. Got one on the trawler once and the other deckhand mentioned that they used to get a huge price per kilo as the overseas buyers dry them and apparently is another delicassy over there or something. Then again not 100% sure

Pat

[elops]

oops used no longer valid synonym accepted name is Pegasus volitans

Yes Pat Dragon Flathead/Longtail Dragonfish trawlers used to keep Seahorses too before they were protected to dry and export to Asia.

[waldo]

Not up on scientific names, I have only ever known them as dragon fish. Only ever got them in the eastern bay and what you have there is about the size I usually got them. Might be wrong but the feel is like seahorse just someone forgot to put the bends in them. Had some dried ones from years ago but they could be anywhere now.

[aussie123]

As Waldo says,it is a common old Dragon Fish.

Most rec anglers do not see them all that often but they are very common.

I used to catch heaps every night while working offshore.

[fishguru5]

oops used no longer valid synonym accepted name is Pegasus volitans

Yes Pat Dragon Flathead/Longtail Dragonfish trawlers used to keep Seahorses too before they were protected to dry and export to Asia.

Thanks elops memory not as bad as I thought haha.

Pat

[elops]

As Waldo says,it is a common old Dragon Fish.

Most rec anglers do not see them all that often but they are very common.

I used to catch heaps every night while working offshore.

How much did you get for a box of them Lance?

[aussie123]

Never sold them Steve and never seen any ever sold.

They were just bycatch and pushed back over the side.

[elops]

Only joking Lance