Monster 14-Foot Fish Found in Hudson River Near Poughkeepsie
Scientists have uncovered a monster lurking just under the waters of the Hudson River.
The amazing discovery was made in a stretch of the river near the FDR estate in Hyde Park. National Geographic published a story this week about the incredible fish that, until now, was unknown to be living right under our noses.
It all started when biologists wanted to assess whether a spot in the river where commercial ships drop anchor and wait for other ship traffic was disturbing the spawning patterns of the Atlantic Sturgeon. Newly developed sonar technology that gives a three-dimensional look at fish deep underwater was being used in the area when the rare fish was found.
A geologist who was running the equipment was watching a screen that showed usual rock formations and fish on the bottom of the river. And then, an enormous fish shaped like a race car appeared. Immediately he knew it was a very rare, 14-foot sturgeon.
The fish was twice as long as any of the other marine life that had been observed in the area. The sheer size of the fish would have been uncommon even centuries ago when sturgeon populations were thriving. But to find such an enormous example in 2018 was extremely rare.
The 14-foot fish is estimated to weigh a whopping 800 pounds, way too large to bring onto the boat that was being used for observation. So, for now, the fish has only been viewed through sonar technology. But scientists say the find is very exciting and has sparked hope for future generations of this endangered species. A fish that size could lay up to eight million eggs at a time, which is great news considering the sturgeon are at extremely high risk of becoming extinct,
If you're hoping to head to the Hudson River and get a peek at the enormous fish, you may not want to waste your time. Since the discovery in June, there haven't been any sightings of this monster, and it's not likely that you'll ever get a glimpse of her from above the water. That's one of the main reasons this fish has become so big. It spends its life protected deep below the murky water and away from its human predators.
But still, it's pretty cool to know she's under there somewhere.
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