I had so much fun exploring paddlefish replicas – both full-body and just the rostrum – that I figured there had to be more artwork out there featuring these prehistoric underwater platypuses (platypi?). Going down that rabbit hole introduced me to all sorts of paddlefish tattoos, from black and white stick drawings, to cartoonish replicas, to ultra-realistic renderings. Apparently they’re a bit of a cult. Check out some of my favorites, below:
Now I’m a little bit afraid to go catch a paddlefish of my own, fearing that I might end up compelled to turn one of North America’s strangest fish into permanent art.
Explore the surprising world of paddlefish tattoos, from simple designs to hyper-realistic ink. Discover why anglers and artists are turning this prehistoric fish into wearable art.