What IS this thing we found on the beach?

[Carol C Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Carol C]

I'm beginning to worry about those reports of pharmaceuticals polluting our waters.

Or maybe it swam from the Savannah River site of the DOE and made its way to the ocean before perishing of mutant fever!

[RESORT2ME Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close RESORT2ME]

While taking one of our many low tide walks along the shores of Marco Island in SW Florida in search of more wonderful seashells we found a creature. I took some pictures of it and have been looking for information on it. No dice.

I took 4 pictures of the creature. 2 came out good enough to share, 2 are horrible but give more of an idea of the bulbous head of the animal. I can share them by e-mail if anyone has any particular interest. It did not appear to have any gills. It did appear to have "arms" that ended in flippers.

If you need to see the images in a larger format they are in my album on the site photoserver.

Can anyone solve my mystery?

As you never received an answer satisfactory to me., I have been searching.

There are numerous looks and shapes to this fish family.
After searching for far too long, the best I came up with is BATFISH.

Take a look at both of these.

The liquidguru site has a very close resemblance of your fish. Watch the video all the way to the end. I never did find one exactly like yours.

Florida Museum of Natural History Ichthyology Department

Barry the Batfish

[Sydney Contributor - Bronze Find all posts View Profile Close Sydney]

Robert, you are right! The arms are too big to be a mudskipper. It does look just like a Polkadot Batfish.
Florida Museum of Natural History Ichthyology Department

[lawren2 Malibu Beach Barbie & A Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close lawren2]

As you never received an answer satisfactory to me., I have been searching.

There are numerous looks and shapes to this fish family.
After searching for far too long, the best I came up with is BATFISH.

Take a look at both of these.

The liquidguru site has a very close resemblance of your fish. Watch the video all the way to the end. I never did find one exactly like yours.

Florida Museum of Natural History Ichthyology Department

Barry the Batfish

We have a WINNER!

Robert if what I saw wasn't a batfish I'll eat my hat....

I have yet to hear back from the site I e-mailed the pictures to. But I'd bet the ranch that they will agree with you!!!

Thanks so much for researching it.

[JoAnn Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close JoAnn]

Ya mean I've got to take the "real" gold cigar back from Sydney's son and send it to Robert!!!!! Oh, Robert...willl Caroll let you smoke that thing?????
Great research, Robert.

[RESORT2ME Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close RESORT2ME]

Ya mean I've got to take the "real" gold cigar back from Sydney's son and send it to Robert!!!!! Oh, Robert...willl Caroll let you smoke that thing?????
Great research, Robert.

I hope everyone watched
Barry the Batfish

I think it is amazing all the different fish I found photos of by searching.

No JoAnn, after where that thing has been, I wouldn't stick it in my mouth. We can let it be.

Whether Caroll would allow has little to do me smoking. I chose to stop the expensive health robbing habit back in the 70s.

[ArtsieAng Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close ArtsieAng]

Barry the Batfish.....I said it before, and I'll say it again. That is one fugly fish!

[tonyg Goomba & Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close tonyg]

The variety of fish is amazing. Back in my days aquatic I had an elephant nose in one of my aquariums. He ruled the roost among several aggressive other fish and subsequently I found out that he could emit an electric shock. Really kept the bad boys in line !

[kapish Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close kapish]

Frank, have you seen this thread?

[bigfrank Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close bigfrank]

Frank, have you seen this thread?

I only saw this thread now for the first time. I leave for Europe and get turned into a smoking sea robbin which BTW are all over this area. You have to hear theregrunt. My parents used to make soup with Sea Robbins. Most people kill them when they catch them. They do put up a good litle fight.

Glad every one had fun with me even though I was nnot here to help in the fun.

[Beaglemom3 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Beaglemom3]

I only saw this thread now for the first time. I leave for Europe and get turned into a smoking sea robbin which BTW are all over this area. You have to hear theregrunt. My parents used to make soup with Sea Robbins. Most people kill them when they catch them. They do put up a good litle fight.

Glad every one had fun with me even though I was nnot here to help in the fun.

We were all waiting until "Dad" got home and found out.
Boy, now Stevie is really going to get it !!

[T. R. Oglodyte Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close T. R. Oglodyte]

We were all waiting until "Dad" got home and found out.
Boy, now Stevie is really going to get it !!

Well, he's already seen this thread, and I survived that.

[bigfrank Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close bigfrank]

Well, he's already seen this thread, and I survived that.

Not to worry, I have somethng for to you pal . Just waiting for the right time to bring it out of hiding.

[Beaglemom3 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Beaglemom3]

Not to worry, I have somethng for to you pal . Just waiting for the right time to bring it out of hiding.

Steve,
It either involves cement sneakers or sleeping with the fishes.
Could be an exploding cigar.
Stay tuned................

[tonyg Goomba & Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close tonyg]

Things sometimes happen when you least expect it and without any warning.