Scary Skull

[bing3]

Hi Guys
Can anyone ID this skull found on a beach in Wexford, Ireland. Approx 10 inches from bottom left to top right. Could it be a Cock Salmon?
Thanks in advance.
Simon

[ollyk]

Sorry can't help, but that looks seriously freaky Hope you kept it?

[bing3]

Afraid not. It was someone else who took the picture. Certainly is pretty freaky though especially the teeth on the tongue. Obviously quite a predatory fish, was thinking maybe zander or a moray but shape is all wrong!
Not too good with saltwater fish I am afraid.

[Putnamsmif]

Having asked a few friends, fishermen like myself, we've come to the conclusion that it is indeed the skull of a silver tourist or Salmon. Not sure wether it's a cock or hen fish though.

[The Woodman]

A cock salmon with teeth that size and the kype on the end of the lower jaw.

[honeybee]

Very interesting photo, didn't know they looked like that!

[bing3]

Tad sceptical that it would be a salmon because kype doesnt start to develop until it hits freshwater and this was found on the coast. Not to say it couldnt be just because of that (could have got washed down in flood water etc.) but it just doesnt have that salmon look. Top jaw too rounded, teeth too large and secondary jaws looks to me like it would be much more of a predatory fish. Any ideas

[Wild-Woman]

Looks like a salmon to me, but hey what do I know! Think the person to ask would be LincsYellowbelly. He knows his stuff when it comes to fish.

[Dogghound]

Conger eel

[Pigeon feather]

Again I'm not one to say I know much about salmon skulls but to me it does look like a salmon skull! Don't think they are teeth on a tongue more likely part of the bottom jaw has snapped

[coasty]

I think Doghound has nailed this one..mainly the size of the eye sockets in relation to the skull and the position of the eye. Dont think its a hake as the skull looks to pointed. Teeth look like a conger too....

[Dogghound]

Originally Posted by coasty

mainly the size of the eye sockets in relation to the skull and the position of the eye. Teeth look like a conger too....

Exactly what i thought mate.

[Tobyh]

..except conger don't have teeth like that. They crush to kill mainly. Have caught plenty of Conger (and returned) in my angling days and would put money on this not being conger. Looks like a salmon to me.

One fish that springs to mind for the shape but not sure about the teeth - Hake?

Anyone?

*edit* - Compare with the picture at this link - alot of similarities -
CzechNymphs


TobyH

[coasty]

well I have never caught a conger but have caught quite a few salmon so cant argue with you, However I have prepared Hake for the table and the teeth are certainly right for them, I just thought the skull looked a little to pointed,,, We need an experts opinion

[Putnamsmif]

Looked at that very same picture, pretty conclusive to me.

[AndyC]

I would say cock salmon, 99% certain!
It looks exactly like salmon skulls I've found beside Exmoor rivers and the Tweed.
They do have teeth on their tongues and their upper jaws are curved, you just don't tend to notice it on a live fish covered in flesh and grisle. The teeth always look too big for a salmon on a fleshless skull too. They can also develope a kype while in the sea before entering rivers but most likely it has been washed downstream.

I expect an icthy... ichthiol... fish expert will come on now and confirm that it is in fact an African Lungfish

Andy

[Marineboy]

Yes, this is the skull of the African Lungfish, Protopterus aethiopicus. They migrate over land to spawn in the rivers of Wexford . . . . . .

Naaaaaa, it's a salmon!

[bing3]

Thanks for all the input. Must admit still not convinced its a Salmon. Just to muddy the waters a little thought I would throw this into the mix.
http://spmedia.canada.com/gallery/Posted/EEL475.jpg
Tongue seems to match the pahryngeal jaws.

[tufftie]

Out of interest there's no metal around with burn holes in it is there?!

Lots of strange things get washed up on the tideline that don't belong here - could it be something a fishing boat, holiday maker(remains of lunch on boat/beach?) or other dropped over the side?

[Jez]

I can't believe that someone would kill Gonzo off the Muppets! I need a good Muppet song to make me feel better *SOB*

[Lincs Yellowbelly]

Must have missed this thread i'm not so hot on sea fish, but with the way the bottom jaw is longer than the top i'd to plump for a Salmon or Sea trout

[ladyhawk]

this one never got away, used to fish years ago and most of the salmon got away, atlantic salmon a poss male definately

[Lance Morgan]

This is a Salmon cock fish the bit between the jaws is the cartilage of the tongue which has tooth like projections.

[AndyC]

I hoped to find a salmon skull somewhere this winter but I haven't but for comparison here is the remains of another cock salmon found recently on the banks of the Aberdeenshire Dee, a river not noted for its congers or hake!

Check out the dentures - Salmon Fishing Forum


Andy

[Geoff F]

Firstly, it is definitely not a conger. I have cut up hundreds for pot bait and the teeth are totally wrong. I was thinking Hake or Ling but the elongated lower jaw certainly looks like a male salmon or possibly a sea trout.

Just because the fish was found washed up on a beach doesn't mean that it died there. Salmon carcasses are used for pot bait and the larger heads are often dumped into the sea as they are a bit of a struggle to cut up. Likewise, an angler particularly a poacher may well ditch the unwanted bits. Also, as has already been mentioned, a dead salmon could drift down a river and into the sea.

As a really long shot, one of the deepwater species like the catfish or wolf fish which we have had for bait in the past. They did have very fierce teeth; but I can't remember much about them. My better fish books are in the workshop so I will have another look tomorrow, but I still think male salmon is the most likely.