PHOTOS: You won't believe what was in this groper's belly
A FISHERMAN who reeled in a small groper got a shock when the fish vomited up something that wasn't on his hook.
Dallan Garvey, 26, was fishing in the Burdekin River on Sunday when he reeled in a 60cm groper, and while freeing the fish from his hook, the fish "spewed up" a surprise.
Inside the groper's belly was a small 'prawn bird', likely an egret or similar often spotted around the mangroves feeding on live prawns and bait in the shallows.
The Queensland groper, or the giant groper, is a protected 'no take' species.
Gropers weigh 15kg when three years old, and can weigh up to 300kg when fully grown.
Mainly bottom-dwelling fish, they have huge mouths and easily swallow other smaller fish whole.
The keen fisherman also managed to hook a large sea snake, which was coiled up as it was brought to the surface.
Dallan was using live mullet as bait for the day, and took home two nice mangrove jacks and a grunter.
Have you caught something unusual? Let us know! Email your fishing stories and photos news@dailymercury.com.au
