Top Story: Bizarre Fish with Human-Like Teeth Caught Off North Carolina Coast

A fish with an unsettlingly human-like smile has stunned the internet — and the world — after being caught off the coast of North Carolina, United States.
Photos of the strange creature, posted by Jeanette’s Pier — a well-known fishing destination and educational center in Nags Head — quickly went viral, drawing global attention and sparking curiosity and amusement online.
The fish has been identified as a sheepshead, a species recognized for its unique dental structure. With a hard mouth and multiple rows of molar-like teeth, the sheepshead uses its strong jaws to crush the shells of prey like oysters, clams, and crabs.

The catch was made by Nathan Martin, a regular at the pier, who had actually been hoping to hook this very species.
“It’s a very good fight when you’re fighting on the line,” Martin told McClatchy News. “It’s a really good catch, and it tastes very good.”
Martin admitted he was still surprised when he came face-to-face with what looked like a “mouth full of teeth”, more suited to a dentist’s office than a fishing line.
Online reactions were swift and humorous. Some users joked that the fish had “better teeth than I do,” while others saw the funny side, calling it a “cheap dental solution.”
This isn’t the first time a sheepshead has made headlines, but the viral images have once again reminded people just how strange and fascinating marine life can be.