More ‘monster fish’ on the loose: sightings of alligator gar emerge in 8 Chinese provinces after a pair caught over weekend

The ‘monster’ alligator gar has captivated China after a month-long hunt for one culminated in the draining of an entire lake last week

Since then there have been widespread reports of further captures and sightings across the country

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There are fresh reports of ‘monster fish’ on the loose several Chinese provinces after a pair of invasive alligator gar fish were caught over the weekend. Photo: SCMP artwork

Published: 6:00pm, 29 Aug 2022

Sightings of alligator gar - dubbed “monster fish” in mainland China - which authorities fear could trigger an ecological disaster have been reported in at least eight provinces.

This followed the draining of an entire lake in central China on the weekend that eventually caught a pair of the invasive fish species.

The large species of freshwater fish, which has razor-sharp teeth and can grow up to three metres long, has captivated the nation after a high-profile, month-long hunt for it that culminated in the draining of an entire lake in the city of Ruzhou in Henan.

Now other parts of the country, including capital city Beijing, have reported the existence of the previously little-known fish, which many fear could harm local residents and the environment as it has few natural predators.

One of the largest freshwater fish commonly found in the southern part of the US and Mexico, the torpedo-shaped fish is often known as a ‘living fossil’. Photo: Huanqiu.com

Normally found in North and Central America and believed to have entered China through the exotic pet trade, a male and a female alligator gar, measuring 70 and 90 centimetres respectively, were caught and received “harmless treatment” in the Ruzhou lake on Saturday.

More ‘monster fish’ on the loose: sightings of alligator gar emerge in 8 Chinese provinces after a pair caught over weekend

The ‘monster’ alligator gar has captivated China after a month-long hunt for one culminated in the draining of an entire lake last week Since then there have been widespread reports of further captures and sightings across the country

The ‘monster’ alligator gar has captivated China after a month-long hunt for one culminated in the draining of an entire lake last week

Since then there have been widespread reports of further captures and sightings across the country