(ProsperNews.net) – The image of a fish caught in Alaska has gone viral on social media because of its bizarre bright coloring. Newspapers and social media users described the creature as resembling something from Dr. Seuss’s “One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish.” Its body is bright aqua-blue, and its head is dark red.
Joe Chmeleck, who owns a fishing lodge in Homer, reeled in the creature in August and was stunned by the response after putting its photo online. “People are going crazy… I think there are actually 17 different countries that have seen the post so far,” he said. He added that he gutted and cooked the fish, which was “absolutely fantastic.”
Biologist Donald Arthur from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game said the blue flesh is caused by a green bile pigment called Biliverdin, but why this happens is unknown. There is speculation that it is prompted by UV radiation, diet, or genetics. More generally, activity level often determines the color of a fish.
A protein called myoglobin stores oxygen in muscles and produces a dark red pigment – therefore, red flesh signifies higher levels of activity because the muscles in a more active fish will require more oxygen, giving it a darker color.
Strange finds by fishermen are not uncommon, and in the age of the internet, images are fascinating and popular. One famous catch that went viral online last year was named Frankenstein’s Fish. A Russian fisherman landed the unusual creature, which was almost transparent, had long fins, and eyes that were entirely bright green with no pupils or irises.
A second catch to hit the headlines this year was found in Northwest Russia in August. The unknown species had a startling look, and its mouth was filled with what was described in the media as “human teeth.” The teeth covered the upper and lower sections of the fish’s mouth, were a variety of sizes, and looked eerily like those of a human being.
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