The World Cup had Paul the Octopus, but now American football enthusiasts have their own oracles, Hugh and Buffet, a pair of Super Bowl predicting manatees.

Trainers at the Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota, Florida hung posters of the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Green Bay Packers inside their aquarium for the creatures to choose.

Unfortunately for gamblers, there was no consensus among the tank-mates.

Buffet picked the Packers by touching their sign with his snout. But Hugh, who at first was heading towards the Packers sign, made a fast turn and choose the Steelers to win.

More than 100,000 football fans are expected to converge on Dallas for the face-off between the two American football teams.

Laboratory trainers say in the past Buffet has been more accurate in choosing the winners of past Super Bowl contests.