Park Tour Nets Quite a Catch of Fish Sightings: Turtles and Even Some ‘Moby-Dickish’ Catfish Inhabit Unlikely Oasis in the Desert

By A.E. Araiza, The Arizona Daily Star, Tucson

Apr. 12–In the green, murky depths of the large pond at Roy P. Drachman-Agua Caliente Regional Park lurk very large channel catfish that are “Moby-Dickish,” says a smiling Axhel Munoz, with Pima County Natural Resources, Parks and Recreation.

Some say the fish grow to between 3 and 4 feet long, Munoz said Saturday at the East Side park, 12325 E. Roger Road.

Munoz gave a tour of the stream and pond at the park and talked about the various types of fish and other water life that thrive there.

In the pond are tilapia, a fish native to Africa, grass carp, largemouth bass, bluegill and various catfish in addition to the channel catfish, Munoz said.

In addition, lots of turtles swim and stay along the far shores of the pond.

It is uncertain if there are any native species of fish in the man-made pond, Munoz said. “No one has ever seen them here.”

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Copyright (c) 2007, The Arizona Daily Star, Tucson

Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Business News.

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