Amazonian River Monster Found Washed Ashore by Cape Coral Boy
Edmund Getts, a 7-year-old boy from Cape Coral, was reported to have found an Amazonian River monster by various news outlets over the first weekend of February.
The fish, which was washed ashore the Caloosahatchee River and found near Jaycee Park - 4125 SE 20th Pl, Cape Coral, by Edmund and his mother, Leah, was determined to be an arapaima by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
After some analysis, the FWC and Calusa Waterkeeper John Cassani agreed the fish—between 3 and 4 feet in size—was likely dropped in the river by man, WINK News reported. NBC 2 reported the floating carcass still had a hook in its mouth.
"The arapaima is a massive yet sleek, streamlined freshwater fish native to the streams of the Amazon River basin," according to the Smithsonian's National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute. "It can breathe air, allowing it to survive in pools with low water levels or decaying vegetation."
The fish has the potential to grow to 10 feet long in size and weigh up to 200 pounds.
To see the original news coverage, visit:
The fish, which was washed ashore the Caloosahatchee River and found near Jaycee Park - 4125 SE 20th Pl, Cape Coral, by Edmund and his mother, Leah, was determined to be an arapaima by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
After some analysis, the FWC and Calusa Waterkeeper John Cassani agreed the fish—between 3 and 4 feet in size—was likely dropped in the river by man, WINK News reported. NBC 2 reported the floating carcass still had a hook in its mouth.
"The arapaima is a massive yet sleek, streamlined freshwater fish native to the streams of the Amazon River basin," according to the Smithsonian's National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute. "It can breathe air, allowing it to survive in pools with low water levels or decaying vegetation."
The fish has the potential to grow to 10 feet long in size and weigh up to 200 pounds.
To see the original news coverage, visit:
