In the U.S. state of North Dakota, an angler caught an unusual bright golden-colored walleye. Experts say the rare coloration is due to a genetic mutation, making the catch a true rarity, reports infohub.kz.
North Dakota resident Ethan Bear caught a walleye with an unusual golden hue while fishing on a local lake. The rare fish measured 68.5 centimeters.
According to Bear, he and his friends had already caught several regular walleye, but as the heat set in, the fish moved to deeper waters. Using a fish finder, he spotted another target that initially seemed too small, but he decided to cast anyway.
When the fish leaped out of the water, it was clear it had an unusual bright golden color. The fishermen admitted they were so stunned by the sight that they were initially at a loss.
It later emerged that the unusual coloration is caused by xanthism — an extremely rare genetic pigmentation disorder that gives animals' skin or scales a vibrant yellow or orange hue.
Initially, Ethan Bear planned to keep the unique find and have it mounted as a trophy. But after brief consideration, he decided to release the rare fish back into the lake, first taking several photos for memory. Instead of the real specimen, he plans to order an exact replica to adorn his home collection.