- Lee Parker, from Oxford, caught the giant fish at Bluewater Lakes in France
A British man has caught a carp that has earned the title of “the world’s largest goldfish”, weighing in at 27.5kg.
Angler Lee Parker was fishing in the Bluewater lakes in France when he caught the much sought after ‘Carrot’, one of the most famous ornamental fish.
The Brit almost bit off more than he could chew after the giant goldfish nearly dragged him into the lake.
Mr Parker, from Banbury, Oxford, said it took off like an express train as he had to hold on tight to his tiller.
He also described how he was forced to dig his heels into the lake shore to avoid being swept into the water.
Lee Parker, from Banbury, Oxford, pictured next to what is believed to be the world’s largest goldfish
The amazing fish found in France measures 4 feet long and weighs a whopping 61 pounds 4 ounces.
After a fight of nearly ten minutes, he directed the goldfish into his landing net and dragged it to shore.
After that, he weighed it and photographed it before returning it safely to the water to fight another day.
Too large to fit into any normal-sized fish tank, the monster measures no less than 1.20 metres long.
The giant orange specimen, aptly nicknamed The Carrot, is a hybrid species of a leather carp and a koi carp, which are traditionally orange in color.
The carrot is believed to be more than 20 years old and was put into the lake by a fishery in France run by Briton Jason Cowler when he was a youngster.
But over the years it has proven to be a difficult fish to catch and is rarely seen out of the water.
Fisheries manager Jason Cowler said: “We introduced The Carrot about 20 years ago as something different for customers to fish for. Since then it has grown and grown but it doesn’t often come out. It’s very elusive.
“He’s in excellent health. Congratulations to Andy on a great catch.”