What is this bizarre-looking water monster that has washed up on the shores of an Australian lake?

Ethan Tipper found the massive beast at Lake Macquarie in New South Wales and took photographs in the hope of identifying it later

Opinion is divided as to whether it is a pike eel, a hairtail or the result of Photoshopping.

A BIZARRE, prehistoric-looking creature has washed up on the shores of an Australian lake, baffling locals as to what it might be. Ethan Tipper found the massive beast at Lake Macquarie in New South Wales and took photographs in the hope of identifying it later.

The images have since been uploaded to the internet where opinion is divided as to whether it is a pike eel, a hairtail or simply the result of creative Photoshopping

  The images have since been uploaded to the internet where opinion is divided as to whether it is a pike eel, a hairtail or simply the result of creative Photoshopping. The massive animal appears to have razor-sharp teeth, a long, scaly body and fish-like eyes.

Pike eels are known to grow up to 1.8 metres in length and have large, powerful jaws

It’s lack of legs give it a fish-like appearance and its streamlined shape has been compared to a dolphin. But one fish expert is confident he has now identified the creature as a pike eel - which is native to the local area.


He says the creature is likely to have been caught by a local fisherman who discarded it when he realised its size. “This is the first time I have ever seen one of them in the flesh,” he told Daily Mail Australia.

“I suspect it was caught and discarded by fisherman who got more than they bargained for when they tried to reel it in,” he added. Pike eels are known to grow up to 1.8 metres in length and have large, powerful jaws.

They are considered something of a delicacy in southeast Asia and are eaten widely.