Monster fish slaps, nibbles swimmers

A MONSTER fish has been terrorising swimmers at a popular Darwin city beach.

Witnesses say the 1m-long beast - dubbed The Sucker Fish - chases, head butts, slaps and nibbles on anyone near it at the recreation lagoon at the waterfront.

Some even say they are avoiding the artificial waterhole to swim in peace.

"He's very territorial," said Health Porter, 29, of Leanyer. "Once you go through its territory it chases you for about 100m all the way back to shore. He either hits you with his finn or tries to head butt you.

"It's quite eerie when he first does it."

Have you encountered the frisky waterfront fish? - leave your comment below

Experts are puzzled as to the kind of species the beast may be, speculating a queenfish or trevally may be behind the attacks.

Amateur Fishermen's Association chief executive Chris Makepeace said the behaviour was unusual. "I don't think it would be dangerous," he said.

The sightings came a year after a rogue cod bit a woman on the toe while standing in shallow water at Lake Alexander, in Fannie Bay.

Darwin City Council closed the lake and used nets and traps for days before catching the fish and releasing it in the ocean.

It was named the Loch Alexander Monster.

The monster from the Waterfront Lagoon is reported to appear mainly at dawn, dusk and when the sky is cloudy and swimmers have been frightened away.

Triathletes are known to use the waterfront lagoon to practise for competitions.

But personal trainer and triathlet Jac Croton, 33, said many swimmers had turned their backs to the waterhole after receiving a fishy fright.

"I heard it has stopped a lot of people from swimming there," she said.

"It's just such a waste. Why don't they just relocate the fish."

The Waterfront Corporation said the lagoon was a natural eco system which included fish and algae.

They said larger fish would be removed periodically but they had heard no concerns from beach-goers recently.

NADJA HAINKE