ray fish related fossil record traces existence early cretaceous million years ago largest species family largest freshwater fishes north_america referred primitive fishes living fossils retained morphological characters earliest ancestors spiral valve common digestive system sharks breathe air water common derived resemblance american particularly broad snout long sharp teeth evidence scientific reports suggest grow length weigh largest caught officially recorded long weighed body torpedo shaped usually brown olive fading lighter gray yellow ventral surface scales like scales fishes scales hard like diamond shaped scales edges scales nearly served fish protection predation unlike species upper jaw dual row large sharp teeth hold prey stalking ambush predators primarily ambush eat water small mammals find floating water surface populations historic range result habitat destruction populations located primarily southern portions united_states extending mexico considered adapt varying ranging freshwater lakes swamps marshes bays gulf_of_mexico nearly half century considered trash fish species detrimental sport fisheries targeted elimination state federal authorities united_states 1980s brought better understanding ecological balance necessary sustain ecosystem eventually awareness important living organism ecosystems inhabit time afforded protection state federal resource agencies protected act makes illegal transport certain species fish interstate commerce violation state law regulation state federal resource agencies monitoring populations wild initiated outreach programs educate public ponds pools tanks federal universities research purposes mexico consumption anatomy largest species family largest freshwater fishes found north_america mature commonly measure length weigh reports suggest grow length weigh largest officially recorded inadvertently caught net fisherman mississippi fishing lakes mississippi_river february williams pulling net lake expecting find buffalo fish instead discovered large net long weighed according wildlife officials fish estimated years old report estimated age williams donated jackson remain display torpedo shaped bodies distinguishing characteristics adult include large size heavy bodies broad heads short broad large sharp teeth double row teeth upper jaw usually brown olive fading lighter gray yellow ventral surface dorsal anal fins positioned bodies caudal fin non symmetrical physiology gills unlike species fish exceptions highly swim lung gill provides enables breathe air able inhabit bodies water fishes die swim connected small allows breathe air break surface action seen frequently lakes southern united_states hot summer months scales like scales fishes flexible scales bodies protected articulated scales diamond shaped edge scales designed strength attack composed tough inner layer bone hard outer layer nearly taxonomy evolution described original later changed order recognize distinct extant taxon synonyms include sic fossils order collected europe cretaceous periods africa india cretaceous north_america cretaceous recent times extant family seven species located north central_america fossil record traces existence early cretaceous million years ago despite highly evolved species referred primitive fishes living fossils retained morphological characteristics earliest ancestors seemingly little apparent changes spiral valve common digestive system sharks tail swim lung breathing air water feeding behavior relatively passive seemingly sluggish solitary fish ambush predators night predators primarily ambush eat water small mammals floating surface method ambush float feet surface wait prey swim reach forward sweeping motion grab prey double rows sharp teeth diet studies shown depending availability preferred food source occasionally sport fish majority stomach content studies suggest feed forage fishes invertebrates water diet studies revealed fishing tackle boat engine parts spawning ancestral species long living sexually late females reach sexual maturity decade life males reach sexual maturity half time conditions precise successful spawning occur preparation spawning begins spring extended rising water temperatures flooding necessary trigger event rivers rise spread create lakes terrestrial vegetation turn provides protection nutrient rich habitat fishes water temperature reached criteria met grassy laden spawn actual spawning occurs collection males gather females begin twisting tops females activity release eggs males release clouds eggs released water column sticky eggs attach submerged vegetation development begins takes days eggs hatch fish days fish vegetation start moving young egg production variable believed dependent size female common formula predicting volume eggs female produce eggs body weight gives average eggs spawn eggs bright red poisonous humans distribution natural range inhabit wide variety aquatic habitats found lakes lowland rivers waters bays occasionally seen gulf_of_mexico texas louisiana common large breaking surface marshes found lower gulf_coast states mexico far south veracruz encompassing following states united_states texas oklahoma louisiana kentucky mississippi alabama tennessee arkansas missouri illinois florida georgia reports suggest numerous northern range valid sightings today rare occur years records historical distribution indicate inhabited regions far north central kansas nebraska ohio iowa west central illinois listed northerly verified catch illinois outside natural range notable sightings reported outside north_america november genus measuring caught north officials species unconfirmed believed september found hong_kong days largest measuring found ponds public parks hong_kong nearby residents reported released ponds lived years complaint citizen falsely identified use terms like horrible man eating fish begun appearing headlines major local newspapers officials removed ponds concerned large fish harm children unusual large sharp teeth outward appearance fear unfamiliar species reports contributed predatory attacks humans reports confirmed january measuring feet inches caught canal singapore recreational fishermen fish taken nearby pond owner confirmed men initially thought reports captured parts india believed result incidental releases like august found cloth inside living time rescued animal activists returned unharmed june caught lake incidents years random ranging captures coastal waters environmental assessments captures private ponds human early history native americans south caribbean peoples scales arrow heads cover early settlers skins strong leather cover wooden items oil people arkansas buffalo nearly half century considered trash fish species state federal authorities targeted elimination protect game fish populations prevent alleged attacks humans claim remains exception occasional injuries sustained captured decks boats fishermen participated slaughter thousands believing providing great service channel member pbs television station located campus texas distributed broadcast video documentary produced documentary predator prey debuted nationally prime time july sweeps according nielsen rating report provided number rated program evening documentary focused physiology life cycle addressed destruction habitat harvesting lakes texas louisiana expressed concerns future species time considered trash fish decade passed significant action taken protect preserve remaining populations united_states partnered tennessee arkansas kentucky illinois alabama mississippi texas oklahoma louisiana restoration management activities sport fish long time public perception trash fish species changed increasing national international attention species sport fish attributed features popular television shows oklahoma texas arkansas mississippi louisiana allow regulated sport fishing texas best remaining fisheries concert efforts maintain viable fishery imposed day bag limit texas state record world record largest caught rod reel taken january texas popular large size trophy potential fighting ability texas state record set pounds tackle record pounds caught fishing guide reported catching measuring feet inches rod line declining populations historic range resulted need monitor wild populations regulate commercial high yield white meat small percentage waste relative body weight meat sold wholesale distributors sold retail prices starting fried balls boiled water crab popular dishes south small cottage industry makes jewelry scales hides produce leather making lamp shades host novelty items including tropical cuban considered good candidates particularly developing regions rapid growth disease resistance easy adaptation artificial feeds juveniles ability tolerate low water quality essential ability breathe air water need costly systems technology commonly parts mexico cuba established maintained respective regions popular food fish despite large size attain kept fish fish labeled trade actually smaller species require large pond ample resources order thrive captivity popular fish public illegal areas pets occasionally fish stores highly prized sought private particularly japan according reports large consider japanese black market june men florida louisiana indicted charges illegally removing wild texas attempting ship japan private collectors resulted undercover sting operation special agents charges included violations separate provisions specifically conspiracy submit false label fish transported interstate commerce conspiracy transport fish interstate commerce violation state law regulation conspiracy transport sell fish interstate commerce violation state law regulation conspirators entered guilty pleas count government dropped charges went trial counts acquitted count found guilty district court sentenced serve months prison followed year supervised release case appealed april court affirmed judgment district court
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