A Kstovo resident in the Nizhny Novgorod region has caught an unusual fish in the Volga River, sparking debate among local fishermen about its identity. The catch, which doesn’t resemble typical river inhabitants, was photographed and shared on social media, leading to varied opinions on its species.

Some commenters identified the fish as a bullhead, while others suggested it was a loach; however, both groups agreed that such fish are uncommon in the region. One local recalled seeing similar fish about 20 years ago in the Urkat River, noting they typically hid under stones.

The fish’s unusual appearance prompted further discussion, with one resident remembering them as “pricklebacks” due to thorns on their gill covers. This incident follows a previous report of a resident in Yekaterinburg catching a 40-kilogram fish in the Iset River.