A family pet fish from Leeds has gained online fame thanks to its unusually human-like face. Bob, a four-year-old koi carp, has caught the attention of social media users with distinct facial markings that resemble human features.
His owner, Malcolm Pawson, 48, bought Bob three years ago for £150, unaware that the fish would soon become a neighborhood attraction.
Bob’s unique appearance, marked by black patches that look like eyes, a nose, and a mouth, has drawn many onlookers and online fans who find his appearance both fascinating and amusing.
Bob’s owner, Malcolm Pawson, brought the ‘friendly’ koi carp to live in his garden pond after purchasing him, and he quickly became a tourist attraction as passersby regularly stop to admire his unique features.
Bob is a kōhaku breed of carp, which is known for stunning white and orange markings that can change over time.
Though he looked like any other normal fish when Malcolm took him home, Bob’s markings gradually developed a more human appearance.
His face now has black patches positioned like eyes, a nose, and a mouth, which can change in response to sunlight, diet, and water conditions.
Malcolm, a landscape gardener who lives with his wife and daughter, says Bob is easily the most popular fish among friends and family. He said, “My friends and family love him. My daughter’s friends are always asking to come see and feed him. Even people who walk past my house stop and stare if I have the gate open.”
Eager to share Bob’s moment in the spotlight, Malcolm has welcomed visitors who want to glimpse the famous fish. He said, “I welcome anyone in to see him. He gets all the attention; it’s amazing. I bought him three years ago as the most friendly fish in the shop.”
Determined to make Bob more than just a local celebrity, Malcolm even started uploading videos of him on TikTok. In one video with over a million views, hundreds of viewers have commented on Bob’s human-like face, comparing him humorously to various characters and celebrities.
Since he bought Bob, the fish has grown in size as well as personality. Malcolm is even considering building a larger pond to accommodate Bob’s growth, adding, “I am looking at making the pond even bigger now as the fish have grown so big. Bob is very greedy—my partner calls me a feeder.”
