Holy Oscar Fish!

An amazed pet shop owner has discovered markings on the side of one of his fish that he claims spells the words Allah in Arabic.

Tony Walker, 47, who runs Walker Aquatics in Waterfoot, Lancashire, was stunned when a customer told him the Oscar fish had the holy word on one side and Mohammed written on the other.

The Asian shopper immediately splashed out on the £10 fish and even bought a £700 tank in which it will live.


Mr Walker said: "When he first told me about the pattern on the side of the fish I didn't know whether to believe him or not.

"I did wonder if he was nuts but then he said he was going to buy a £700 tank, so I thought he must be serious."

He added: "The fish is about two years old and we've had it in the shop for about eight weeks.

"It just looked like a normal Oscar to me. I had absolutely no idea what was written on its sides.

"Once the writing was spotted though, we've had lots of people coming into the shop to have a look.

"Everyone seems to agree about the markings. It has caused quite a stir."

The albino fish, which has the Latin name, astronotus ocellatus, measures around eight inches long and can grow to 16 inches.

The unidentified new owner must wait six weeks before he can collect the creature but he is expected to return to the shop tomorrow to pick up his tank.