This Flashy-Painted Fish Looks Like It Belongs in ‘Avatar’

 Vividly-hued fish photos, seemingly too flashy to believe, have taken the Japanese social media by storm, sparking a frenzy of speculation on whether they're a product of excessive digital enhancement.

On the recent Friday, the renowned Fishing Gang Azusa YouTube channel set social media ablaze with an astonishing photograph showcasing their most recent catch—a mesmerizing, seemingly painted fish. Speculation arose regarding its authenticity, prompting eager inquiries about potential Photoshop wizardry. However, all doubts were dispelled when Azusa shared an enthralling video capturing the moment they reeled in the extraordinary fish, propelling the images into an internet sensation. Witnessing the surreal beauty of this otherworldly aquatic being left countless viewers awe-inspired, challenging the boundaries of belief in the existence

of such a captivating creature.

The painted-looking fish is apparently known as ‘Kinubella’ (キヌベラ) in Japan, and ‘surge wrasse’ (Thalassoma purpureum) in the western world. It lives in the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian oceans, where it inhabits reefs and rocky coastlines. Despite its toxic-looking color, the surge wrasse is edible, although it is of minor importance to commercial fisheries, and more valuable as an aquarium fish.

Ever since the original photo of the fish was posted on the Fishing Gang Azusa Twitter page, it has received over 200,000 likes and 37,000 retweets. People just can’t get over how alien it looks, with many claiming that it belongs in James Cameron’s Avatar.

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