A "MONSTER" fish stunned a veteran fishmonger so much that he had it stuffed and put on display.
Ron Fowler, who owns Ron Fowler and Sons Fishmongers in Grove Corner, Bookham, said the 22-inch puffer fish is the biggest he has seen in 55 years in the industry.
It illegal to sell puffer fish as food in the UK because they are poisonous, but Mr Fowler buys them to teach students how to cook exotic fish.
He said: "I bought it from a guy in Wittering who specialises in aquatic life and he said it had been imported from the Gulf of Mexico.
"I can't sell it to people but I collect them as part of seminars I do for Gordon Ramsey's students every month or so just to liven up the sessions.
"I have never had one half the size of this one. I've been in the industry full-time for donkey's years and it takes a lot to impress me when it comes to fish, but this certainly did."
The fish is regarded as delicacy in Japan, where it is called fugu – but 23 people have died there since 2003 from eating puffer fish that was not properly prepared.
Due to its toxic innards, fugu is the only dish that the Japanese Emperor is not allowed to eat.
Mr Fowler said: "I know my fish but I certainly wouldn't want to take a chance with eating it. I'm happy for it to be mounted on the wall for everyone to see instead."
He added: "It has already caused quite a stir in the village.
"Obviously it immediately stands out to people as they walk in because there's this giant monster grinning at them on the wall.
"I'm happy for people to come in and see it, and they can rest assured that nothing we sell to eat in here is quite as poisonous."
