© People's Daily OnlineWhat is it? Zhang Chuanzhou and Zhang Xiaogang caught the fish in Wuhan, China's Hubei Province
The mysterious creature was caught on July 16 in Wuhan, Hubei Province, and measured seven feet in length and 220 pounds in weight, reported People's Daily Online.
Pictures of the river fish have been widely shared online in China while media are claiming that the species might date back to the age of dinosaurs.
© People's Daily OnlineMysterious species: Chinese media are claiming that the species might date back to the age of dinosaurs
According to the report, the fish was caught by two fishermen in part of the Yangtze River at around 8am last Saturday.
The two man have been named Zhang Chuanzhou and Zhang Xiaogang and are father and son.
At first, they thought it was a normal Chinese sturgeon, a critically endangered species native to the area.
It's understood that they soon realised it looked too odd and contacted a local reporter.
An unnamed marine expert told Chinese media that the creature is a hybrid of a Kaluga fish and another unidentified species.
The expert added that the bizarre fish is not native to the area and could have been released to the waters by someone who had purchased it.
The fish has been sent to the local wildlife rehabilitation centre.
© People's Daily OnlineShocked: Pictures of the animal, which is described as vicious and carnivorous, have been widely shared
An adult Kaluga can weigh more than 1,100 pounds.
The species is listed as critically endangered as it has been fished almost to extinction for its valuable roe.
© People's Daily OnlineHybrid: An expert told reporters that the fish could be a cross between a Kaluga and another unidentified species
Nothing really mysterious about this fish - it looks to be a Kaluga sturgeon. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaluga_(fish)
Well away from its normal range though. See map here - http://www.pond-life.me.uk/sturgeon/husodauricus