Outline
Circulating message that features an image of a bizarre looking fish that has a pig-like snout claims that the fish is a new species discovered in Texas creeks and is called the ‘Wild Hogfish’. Other variants of the message claim that the ‘pig-nosed fish’ – or alternatively ‘pig fish’ – was found in a South African dam or in the American state of Arkansas.
Brief Analysis
The claims in the messages are untrue and the image is fake. There is no species of fish like the one depicted in the photograph. The fake picture was created by digitally manipulating a photograph of an ordinary fish.
Examples
A new species of fish has been discovered in Texas creeks. It’s know as the Wild Hogfish and can be extremely aggressive, and their numbers are increasing like crazy. Very tasty, a little like bacon, they are good eatin’. Once reintroduced domestically, they become goldfish.
This ‘pig-nose fish’, was found in the dam of Clanwilliam, flowing waters of the Burg Rivers of Cape Town, South Africa
Detailed Analysis
Various messages are circulating online that feature an image depicting a very strange looking creature that has the body of a fish and the head and ears of a pig. One of the most common versions of the message claims that the image shows the so-called Wild Hogfish, a new species discovered in Texas creeks. The message claims that the fish tastes like bacon and are rapidly increasing in number.
Another message that features the same image calls the creature a Pig-nosed fish and claims that it was found in a South African dam. Yet another variant suggests that the ‘amazing new fish’ was discovered in Arkansas.
However, the image does not depict a real creature. Rather, it is the result of digital tomfoolery and was most probably created just as a prank. Whoever created the fake took the following image of an ordinary fish and rather cleverly manipulated it so that it appeared to have the face of a pig:
Several types of fish do have the common name ‘pigfish’, but they certainly do not have pig faces like the one in the above prank image.
Importance Notice
After considerable thought and with an ache in my heart, I have decided that the time has come to close down the Hoax-Slayer website.These days, the site does not generate enough revenue to cover expenses, and I do not have the financial resources to sustain it going forward.
Moreover, I now work long hours in a full-time and physically taxing job, so maintaining and managing the website and publishing new material has become difficult for me.
And finally, after 18 years of writing about scams and hoaxes, I feel that it is time for me to take my fingers off the keyboard and focus on other projects and pastimes.
When I first started Hoax-Slayer, I never dreamed that I would still be working on the project all these years later or that it would become such an important part of my life. It's been a fantastic and engaging experience and one that I will always treasure.
I hope that my work over the years has helped to make the Internet a little safer and thwarted the activities of at least a few scammers and malicious pranksters.
A Big Thank You
I would also like to thank all of those wonderful people who have supported the project by sharing information from the site, contributing examples of scams and hoaxes, offering suggestions, donating funds, or helping behind the scenes.I would especially like to thank David White for his tireless contribution to the Hoax-Slayer Facebook Page over many years. David's support has been invaluable, and I can not thank him enough.
Closing Date
Hoax-Slayer will still be around for a few weeks while I wind things down. The site will go offline on May 31, 2021. While I will not be publishing any new posts, you can still access existing material on the site until the date of closure.Thank you, one and all!
Brett Christensen,
Hoax-Slayer
