A massive sunfish caused chaos in Venice after its huge body blocked a busy canal.
The giant ocean sunfish – one of the largest bony fish in the world – was found floating lifelessly in the famous Italian waterways.
A stunned water taxi driver first spotted the enormous carcass drifting just beneath the surface.
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The grey mass was clogging a key route near Sacca Sessola in the Venetian Lagoon on Saturday (11 April), as reported by Need To Know.
Authorities warned the carcass posed a serious hazard to passing boats.
Due to its sheer size – weighing more than a tonne – firefighters had to be called in to deal with the bizarre situation.
Using a specialist floating crane, crews spent hours securing and removing the giant fish from the narrow canal.
A fire service spokesperson said the operation was “notably complex” because of the tight waterways and the sheer bulk of the animal.
Ocean sunfish are native to the Mediterranean but are usually found in deep waters far from shore.
So its appearance in the fragile Venetian Lagoon is considered extremely rare.
Experts believe the fish may have been swept in by strong tides or was already in distress before entering the canal system.
The carcass has now been taken to a secure facility where marine biologists from the University of Padua will carry out tests.
They hope to determine what caused its death – including whether rising sea temperatures or plastic pollution played a role.
Ocean sunfish are the heaviest bony fish on Earth and can grow to a staggering 2,300kg.
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