Rare “Walking Batfish” Washes Ashore In Pinellas County FL As Toxic Algae Bloom Arrives

PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — On Saturday, people were finding dead fish and eels along St. Pete Beach as the toxic algae bloom has officially hit Pinellas County.

Beachgoers are starting to see thousands of dead fish wash up on shore from Clearwater Beach to St. Pete Beach. And along with the dead fish, comes the smell.

“There’s still lots of dead fish and different fish like eels that you normally wouldn’t see washed up on the sore. Walking batfish that I’ve never seen before that actually have feet on them. So we saw these rare specimens,” Shelly Vickery said. source

Vickery is the Director of Birds in Helping Hands. The organization has been monitoring red tide levels and are checking to see if any birds are showing signs of being sick from the bloom. Luckily, she hasn’t found any yet.

Pinellas County Environmental Officials have taken water samples at multiple sites for red tide. Here are the results:

Pass-A-Grille Beach: Very low
Madeira Beach: High
John’s Pass: Medium
Park Blvd. Boat Ramp: Not present
Clearwater Pass: Medium

If you see a fish kill, you are asked to report it to FWC or Pinellas County.