weird fish in my northeast florida pond.

[dh1337]

the fish in question looks similar to this fish but instead of the blue its black with a similar yellow and black pattern and has whiskers. looks like an aquarium fish but its pretty big not crazy long but very stout. I always see it within 4 feet of shore just laying on the bottom not moving. I've noticed it feeding on some grass but only in the rain and definitely not a carp. looks like some weird catfish I can't find any pic that truly looks like it. 

 

what are you guys thoughts on what kind of fish this could be. I've only seen one I believe as I keep seeing the same size fish. profile from the top matches this guy but has whiskers. I will try to take a pic next time I see it. 

[Dwight Hottle]

Looks like an armored catfish. 

[EGbassing]

It looks like a pleco. (suckermouth catfish) Here's a picture of one:

 

[soflabasser]

4 hours ago, dh1337 said:

I will try to take a pic next time I see it. 

Sounds good. I might be able to identify the species for you if you take a good picture.

4 hours ago, dh1337 said:

what are you guys thoughts on what kind of fish this could be. I've only seen one I believe as I keep seeing the same size fish. profile from the top matches this guy but has whiskers.

Are the whiskers long or short? Does the skin appear to be smooth or does it appear to be armored skin? Need to see a good picture of this fish to help you identify it.

[dh1337]

1 hour ago, soflabasser said:

Sounds good. I might be able to identify the species for you if you take a good picture.

Are the whiskers long or short? Does the skin appear to be smooth or does it appear to be armored skin? Need to see a good picture of this fish to help you identify it.

long whiskers seemed like it had 4 and looked to be smooth . I thought it could be a pleco like the previous poster said but the pattern has more yellow in it. I'd say the fish is 20 inches and quite thick I've dropped soft plastics in front of it and it wont move unless it is touched then it slowly escapes. I will try to get a picture Tuesday I'm super busy tmw. I cant find a picture of a pleco with long enough whiskers so idk if that's it. 

4 hours ago, Dwight Hottle said:

Looks like an armored catfish. 

I cant seem to find a pic of an armored catfish with as much yellow in the pattern or the same crazy whiskers this guy has. I will say it is close to an armored catfish maybe it's just a very colorful example. I might hit him with my buddies flounder gig I don't think he should be in my pond lol. 

[dh1337]

guys I found a pic of a sailfin catfish this is definitely the pattern my guy has got. but still cant find one with comparable whiskers I'm telling you the one in my pond has some impressive whiskers on him that's where I'm having the trouble with this comparison. pattern is identical to this though 

[soflabasser]

37 minutes ago, dh1337 said:

guys I found a pic of a sailfin catfish this is definitely the pattern my guy has got. but still cant find one with comparable whiskers I'm telling you the one in my pond has some impressive whiskers on him that's where I'm having the trouble with this comparison. pattern is identical to this though 

The catfish above is a vermiculated sailfin catfish. It does not fit the exact description you gave earlier in the thread. It would be best to take pictures of the catfish you saw and even better to catch it and take several pictures.

52 minutes ago, dh1337 said:

long whiskers seemed like it had 4 and looked to be smooth . I thought it could be a pleco like the previous poster said but the pattern has more yellow in it. I'd say the fish is 20 inches and quite thick I've dropped soft plastics in front of it and it wont move unless it is touched then it slowly escapes. I will try to get a picture Tuesday I'm super busy tmw. I cant find a picture of a pleco with long enough whiskers so idk if that's it. 

I cant seem to find a pic of an armored catfish with as much yellow in the pattern or the same crazy whiskers this guy has. I will say it is close to an armored catfish maybe it's just a very colorful example. I might hit him with my buddies flounder gig I don't think he should be in my pond lol. 

Try fishing with fresh cut bait and see if it will bite. It might be a rare species of exotic catfish which would be a very nice fish to catch. 

[dh1337]

57 minutes ago, soflabasser said:

The catfish above is a vermiculated sailfin catfish. It does not fit the exact description you gave earlier in the thread. It would be best to take pictures of the catfish you saw and even better to catch it and take several pictures.

Try fishing with fresh cut bait and see if it will bite. It might be a rare species of exotic catfish which would be a very nice fish to catch. 

ok I will try to catch this weird fish maybe even with my cast net just so I can get a good picture.

[BASS302]

5 hours ago, dh1337 said:

long whiskers seemed like it had 4 and looked to be smooth

Shovelnose catfish have long whiskers.  But I think they have more than 4.

[Ratherbfishing]

It's a plecostomus.  A fairly common aquarium fish.

[soflabasser]

The fish that @dh1337  described does not sound like a plecostomus. He said the fish had long whiskers and smooth skin, those are 2 traits plecostomus and similar species do not have since plecostomus tend to have rough skin and short whiskers. I have caught vermiculated sailfin catfish, Orinoco sailfin catfish, brown hoplo, walking catfish, other species of exotic catfish, and none sound like what he is describing. With that said, the fish sounds like it is a very unique fish to catch.