source- Wikipedia
The largest giant Oarfish ever found!
In California, in September 1996, the giant Oarfish washed up on the shore by United States Navy Seals. It was 270 kg (600 lb) in weight, 23 feet (7.0 m) long. The Giant Oarfish shown above was first discovered by the instructor of the United States Navy Seals.
You can also estimate how big it was by seeing the picture above.
In this blog, we will also learn about the other places where the Giant Oarfish washed ashore. So here are two other places it washed ashore;
Coast of California
Another massive oarfish was found washed up along the California coast, marking an unexpected encounter with one of the ocean's most enigmatic creatures. Amy Catalano and Tyler Dvorak, a wildlife researcher employed by the Catalina Island Conservancy, were performing a routine breeding bird survey near Emerald Bay on Catalina Island on June 1st when this rare occurrence occurred.
Although they were supposed to spend the day watching birds, nature had something far more unexpected in store. They came and found the enormous body of a rare deep-sea fish. A big oarfish while traveling along the shore.
Its long, ribbon-like body partially buried in the shallows, the monster, which was estimated to be about 4 meters (13 feet) long, was resting along the beach.
It was a strange and fascinating scene. Because they usually live in deep ocean waters, oarfish are rarely observed alive. Their abrupt surface look frequently piques interest and perhaps even inspires myth. Both researchers were astounded by the infrequent chance to see such a unique marine creature up close, as seen in the picture above.
Catalina Island
On October 13, 2013, a truly astonishing sight was witnessed near Catalina Island. A massive oarfish measuring approximately 18 feet (around 5.5 meters) in length was discovered close to the shoreline. This rare and mysterious deep-sea creature was first noticed struggling in the shallow waters by Alexa Johnson and Rich Zanelli, members of the Catalina Island Conservancy. Despite their presence and efforts to observe the fish, it unfortunately did not survive and passed away shortly after being spotted.
Once the enormous fish had died, it was brought to shore, allowing for a closer look at this elusive species that is seldom seen alive in its natural deep-ocean habitat. The staff at the Catalina Island Marine Institute later took custody of the fish, preserving it and using the opportunity for educational and scientific purposes.
The image that circulated afterward shows the team carefully holding the long, ribbon-like body of the bony fish. A remarkable example of nature’s deep-sea giants that rarely make an appearance so close to human activity. Also, Oarfish are called Doomsday fish, if you want to know the reason behind that; click here!
Frequently Asked Question
1. What is the current global population of oarfish?
- Since oarfish live so far down in the water and are rarely sighted, the precise number is unclear. Although they are not on the endangered list at the moment, scientists still have very little information about their population.
2. What's the size of the Giant Oarfish?
- The giant oarfish can grow up to 36 feet (11 meters) in length, making it the longest bony fish in the world. Most commonly, individuals found are around 10 to 16 feet (3 to 5 meters) long.