PigFish or HogFish in Texas, Arkansas Rivers? ‘Wild’ Pig-Nose Fish is a Hoax

PigFish or HogFish in Texas, Arkansas Rivers? ‘Wild’ Pig-Nose Fish is a Hoax
Jack Phillips
Jack Phillips
Breaking News Reporter
|Updated:

A viral photo going around shows a fish with a pig’s or hog’s head, but that’s a hoax.

The photo was obviously Photoshopped, and the original image can be seen on Imgur. 

But some blog posts and Facebook postings say that a “new species of fish” was found in either Arkansas or Texas. About a year ago, people started spreading the pig-fish hoax, saying it was found in Arkansas rivers. 

Some people on social media said that it was caused by “Monsanto GMO” food.

About.com hoax-debunking writer David Emery wrote in February of last year: “Whether it’s labeled a ‘pigfish,’ a ‘wild hogfish,’ or ‘pig-nose fish,’ the verdict of science remains the same: no such species as the one depicted above exists.”

“There are a few real species known by the common name ‘pigfish,’ but none of them resemble the chimera in the photograph. There’s also a tropical species, Lachnolaimus maximus, commonly called a ‘hogfish,’ but, again, this is not that animal,” he wrote.

He added: “The composite image was created by altering a photo of a perfectly ordinary fish to give it a swine-like snout and ears. Nicely done. I haven’t been able to establish where or when the Photoshopped image originated, but it has been in circulation since February 2013, if not before.”

Jack Phillips
Jack Phillips
Breaking News Reporter
Jack Phillips is a breaking news reporter who covers a range of topics, including politics, U.S., and health news. A father of two, Jack grew up in California's Central Valley. Follow him on X: https://twitter.com/jackphillips5
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