Due to its two jaws and four eyes, a carp known as the “Chernobyl fish” has gained notoriety when it was discovered in a lake.
According to hypotheses about the bizarre fish, the lake it was caught in back in 2017 was contaminated, which is why the distortion appeared.
Scientists say testing on the samples are necessary to ascertain whether or not contamination was a factor, therefore they are unsure.
The carp appears to be healthy and completely grown in all material respects, which leads one expert to think that pollution wasn’t an issue because that would have killed most fish in infancy.
University of South Carolina biologist Dr Timothy Mousseau said: “Most radiation-induced mutations lead to lower growth, survival and fertility.
“Most such ‘mutants’ do not live long enough to get so large. Most are slower, less capable and thus more likely to be eaten or die than ‘normal’ individuals.”
The scientist, who has studied Chernobyl and Fukashima extensively, added that “controlled experiments” would be needed to determine what’s wrong with the fish, most likely an Asian Carp.
“In our studies we look at hundreds, often thousands, of individuals before we can suggest that radiation was the cause,” he said.
“Without properly controlled experiments it is almost impossible to say for sure what the cause might be unless such a mutation has been observed before in other radioactive places. This is one reason we look at both Chernobyl and Fukushima.”
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The fish seems to have four eyes and two mouths. But some researchers and internet users speculate that the second mouth might possibly be a gaping flesh hole that healed incorrectly.
The ‘eyes’ on top of the head are actually nostrils. The nostrils of Asian carp develop high on the head, above the eyes, which is one of its distinguishing characteristics.
However, none of this stopped many from commenting on social media that the fish resembled Blinky, the three-eyed marvel trapped in the water near the nuclear power station in The Simpsons, or that it appeared to have been caught in Chernobyl.
Another added: “Chernobyl fish that accidentally migrated.”
“Downstream from the nuclear plant?” asked another, while a fourth chimed in: “That is one of the most unsettling things I have ever seen.”