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giant oarfish

The Giant Oarfish

  • 29 June, 2020
  • Critterman
  • No Comments
  • 3634 Views
  • 4 Likes
Daily Critter Facts, Fish Facts

Meet the longest known bony fish in the ocean, the giant oarfish, aka Pacific oarfish, ribbonfish, king of herrings, streamer fish, and sea dragon. This deep water fish can be found in the eastern Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea at depths of up to 600 – 3,000 feet. Occasionally they get washed ashore due to a tsunami or oceanic storm. When they do, they gather quite the crowd due to their size and unusual appearance. The giant oarfish is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN.

First the Stats…

Scientific name: Regalecus glesne
Weight: Up to 600 lbs.
Length: Up to 26 feet
Lifespan: Unknown

Now on to the Facts!

1.) Rather than possessing scales, the oarfish has tubercles and a slimy coat of guanine, crowned with an ornate dorsal fin that is red.

2.) Their skin feels like thick, sticky, gel.

3.) They feed on krill, other small crustaceans, small fish, and squid.

4.) Unlike most other fish, they don’t have a swim bladder. Instead, they propel through the water with their pelvic fins.

5.) They tend to swim with their tail pointed downward.

But wait, there’s more on the giant oarfish!

6.) These creatures are not typically fished as their flesh is not considered palatable.

7.) They spawn from July – December.

Did you know…?
It is believed that the oarfish was the inspiration behind the sea serpent.

8.) Females lay .10 inch long eggs that float near the surface of the water. Once they hatch, the fry make their way deeper into the ocean.

Now a Short Giant Oarfish Video!

Also, check out the Critter Science YouTube channel. Videos added frequently!

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Learn more about all kinds of cool critters, right here!
eggfishgiantoarfishoceanseaspawn
Critterman

With over 50 years of critter experience to my credit and hundreds of zoology teaching hours to people around the world, I have amassed not only a continuing thirst for critter knowledge but a desire to teach others all I can about the majesty and wonder of our natural world. Critter Science is a culmination of such knowledge. I have hands on as well as book acquired intel on all kinds of critters. Whether they're on land, sea, or in the air. I will never say that I know everything about all animals. That's impossible, even for a savant. But, that being said, ask me any animal question and I'll answer it. If I don't know the answer, I'll get an answer for you!

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