What's up fish face? The £40,000 carp that really does look human

By Paul Sims

Fishy: This ghost carp has markings on its head that resemble a mouth, nose and eyes


Owners and their pets are often said to grow to resemble each other. Which could be bad news for Brendan O'Sullivan.

He is the owner of this carp, which appears to be developing facial features which look worryingly human.

The 44-year-old former butcher bought the fish, a ghost carp, about five months ago but it is only in the past week that he has noticed what looks like a mouth, nose and eyes.

'Because of the weather earlier this year I didn't really get to have a proper look at it,' said Mr O'Sullivan, of Dagenham, Essex.

'Then, last week, as I was sunbathing in the back garden I poked my head over the pond and there it was swimming towards me.

'It was astonishing. I could easily make out from the markings two eyes, a nose and a mouth. I thought I was suffering from sunstroke.'

Carp have long been known to carry markings which can look like a human face, but actually seeing one is rare.

As a result, Mr O'Sullivan's fish is now said to be worth an estimated £40,000.


In profile: A side view of the carp shows it looking a lot more fish-like


source: dailymail