What is the legendary Mao Mao fish like?

The first record of fur trout came from America in17th century. According to records, this kind of fish grows in cold water and has a layer of hair that can keep out the cold. A Scottish immigrant mentioned in a letter to his relatives that there are many "hairy animals and fish" in the New World. His relatives misunderstood his meaning, so they asked him to send them a "hairy fish". The immigrants knew that they had misunderstood and decided to send them a "fur fish" made by themselves. Soon, the legend of "hairy fish" spread all over the world.

1900, Icelanders wrote a story about Icelandic trout (IcelandicLodsilungur). According to the reporter, Iceland has a legend of hairy trout since ancient times.

Many stories say that fur trout grows in lakes and rivers in Arkansas, Maple Leaf Country and Iceland. Some stories appear with fake specimens, some are simple stories, and some are more interesting:

Iceland's legend is the strangest: hairy trout can't be eaten and grows in the lake. These creatures seem to punish evil humans. It is said that if a man eats them, he will get pregnant and give birth to a child from his balls.

Most stories about trout come from America.

Montana Wildlife Magazine described the scene of catching trout with fur in 1929: "When the fish was caught, the fish exploded due to the huge difference between water temperature and air temperature, and the fur and skin were perfectly separated, which has high commercial value."

Wilbur Foshay, a businessman, also made up a story, saying that the fur of fur trout grows in winter, and it will fall off when the water temperature gets higher in summer.

Some people say that the reason why the trout grows hair is because someone has poured a bottle of hair growth water. He also suggested that if you want to catch them, you must dress up as a barber and give them a free haircut.

There is also a legend in Maine: fur trout is guarded by prison. If someone wants to catch a trout, the prison will measure the length of their feet. If it happens to be as long as a fish, the fish is his, and he can make his fish into shoes.

"Fur trout" was exhibited in the National Museum of Scotland.

There is a rumor in Maple Leaf that a trout was caught in Lake Superior and made into a specimen. Some people believe that they really bought it and intend to send it to the National Bagpipe Museum. Later, he suddenly woke up. Just an ordinary fish, wrapped in rabbit hair.

Hairy trout is just a legend, except for some fake specimens, and there is no real thing. However, when fish are infected by certain fungi (such as water mold), it may appear a phenomenon similar to long hair. After the infected area spreads, the fish will die and the fungi will continue to grow on its body. These dead fish are sometimes washed ashore and treated as fur trout. Maybe this is the origin of the legend.