Meet the man who has formed a unique friendship with a fish

Friendships are built on trust, and, some would say, on solid ground – but not for Rex Colubra who has a unique bond with his underwater pal, Elvis.

The 40-year-old scuba diver befriended the smallmouth bass while he was diving in a Wisconsin lake in 2021.

He encountered a school of freshwater fish, but one stood out - even when he moved closer, he didn’t show any fear.

“I was checking out a new spot and all these fish were coming up to me. I noticed one was sticking closer than the rest. He wasn’t scared even when I got out. He stuck close to the surface in the shallows.”

Rex returned to the lake two weeks later and the fish, he said, recognised him.

He named the bass Elvis, and Rex has been returning to the lake every year to catch up with his freshwater friend.

The two friends meet and catch up in the lake. Rex identifies Elvis by his scar and Elvis responds to a sound he was taught by Rex. (PHOTO: Instagram/@rex_colubra)

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Rex said he recognises Elvis because he has a scar on his face that could have been caused by a fishing line. And to let Elvis know that he's in the water, Rex makes a "gulping, grunting" sound to announce his presence, "and he'll come find me".

Elvis gets jealous if other fish approach him, said Rex.

“He will literally fight other fish if they get too close to me.”

Rex has been sharing his hangouts with Elvis on social media.

“I can befriend just about any fish I want by sharing treats. Elvis’ entire school comes to hang out, follow me around and grab food from me. I can even touch them briefly. I’m somewhat of a local celebrity to these fish.”

Rex is not the only human with underwater friends.

Hiroyuki Arakaw (79), from Japan, has been friends with an Asian sheepshead wrasse, named Yoriko, for 30 years.

Hiroyuki, the caretaker of a Shinto shrine at the Hasama Underwater Park, nursed Yoriko back to health when he saw the fish's mouth had been injured.

Hiroyuki Arakawa met the Asian sheepshead wrasse, Yoriko, 30 years ago and their friendship is still going strong. (PHOTO: Facebook/@matthewmanning)

“I’d say we understand each other,” he said of his friendship with the fish.

He admitted that even though they can’t communicate like humans do, they’ve managed to form a rather unique bond. “I kissed her once. I’m the only person she’ll let do it,” he says.

SOURCES: GOODNEWSNETWORK.ORG, DAILYMAIL.CO.UK, GREATBIGSTORY.COM, NEWYORKPOST.COM,