What Is This Creature?
Based on the images:
- It’s not a fish – despite its fish-like head, it lacks fins or gills.
- It’s not an eel – it lacks scales and aquatic features.
- It’s most likely a terrestrial slug – a gastropod mollusk that lives on land and breathes air.
Key Features Identified:
- Slime-covered body – common in slugs to help with movement and moisture retention.
- Tentacles – slugs typically have two pairs: upper (for vision) and lower (for smell).
- No shell – unlike snails, slugs lack an external shell.
- Fish-like head appearance – possibly a trick of lighting or unique pigmentation pattern.
Possible Species:
The exact species is difficult to determine without more context, but here are a few possibilities:
1. Limax maximus (Leopard slug)
- Large, slimy, with strange patterns.
- Often mistaken for other creatures due to its size and unusual appearance.
2. Arion ater (Black slug or Large red slug)
- Can range in color from brown to black or reddish.
- Grows large and has a distinct texture.
3. Deroceras reticulatum (Grey field slug)
- Smaller, pale or mottled.
- Found in gardens and moist environments.
Habitat:
- Slugs thrive in moist, shaded environments.
- Common in gardens, forests, and under rocks.
- They’re herbivorous, feeding on decaying matter, plants, and fungi.
Viral Confusion: “Slugfish” or “Fish with No Eyes”?
The reason many people get confused is because:
- Some marine slugs (like nudibranchs) can look bizarre.
- There are deep-sea fish (like the blobfish) that appear slug-like.
- The top image might have been edited or taken in a way to make the creature look more fish-like.
Fun Fact:
Slugs can retract their tentacles, making them look different depending on their mood or when touched.
Conclusion:
The images show a terrestrial slug, possibly from the Arion or Limax genus. The fish-like appearance is either coincidental, due to lighting or camera angle, or possibly intentional editing for humor or confusion.