Oarfish are large, narrow, marine lampriform fish of deep sea belonging to the small family Regalecidae. They live in all types of deep oceans but are quite rare to find. The oarfish family contains three species in two genera. One of these is the giant oarfish (Regalecus glesne) which is also the longest bony fish alive.
The name, “oarfish” was coined as such because of their compressed and elongated body with pelvic fins that resembled the oar of a boat. As the oar helps a boat soar across the water bodies, the pelvic fins do the same for this fish.
The family name Regalecidae actually stems from the Latin word ‘regalis’, meaning “royal”. Although the larger species are fished commercially very often, oarfish are actually very rarely caught alive.
They reside in the deep seas and hence do not swim up to the surface. Also, their flesh is not meant to be eaten in large amounts because of gelatinous consistency.
The Oarfish: A Glimpse into the Abyss:
The oarfish, scientifically known as Regalecus glesne, is a marine creature that belongs to the family Regalecidae. It holds the distinction of being the world’s longest bony fish, with some individuals reaching lengths of up to 50 feet (15 meters) or more.
Its slender, ribbon-like body, silver-blue scales, and striking red dorsal fin give it an otherworldly appearance, which has led to its association with sea serpent legends.
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Oarfish Anatomy and Morphology
Oarfish are very long, slender and silvery marine fish. Like all fishes, it contains various features like dorsal fins, pectoral and pelvic fins. The dorsal fin originates from above the large eyes and runs throughout the entire length of the fish.
The pelvic fins are elongated and are in one to five numbers each. The pectoral fins are almost totally reduced and is present quite low on the body. The caudal fin may be reduced or absent while the anal fin is completely absent.
It has a small yet highly protruding mouth with no teeth. The body has no scales and the skin is highly silvery. Oarfish lack gas bladders.As for the color of the Oarfish, it is variable. It ranges from bluish streaks to black streaks across its body. It could be that these markings are actually bioluminescent in the deep oceans.
Oarfish Environment
The oarfish inhabits the epipelagic to mesopelagic ocean layers, ranging from 200 meters to 1,000 meters. They reside deep into the ocean and hence it is rarely seen on the surface.
They are hard to be found alive as it dies if it floats to the surface accidentally. It lives in a region with a slow current of water. Their fins are not powerful enough to swim up to the surface very often.
Oarfish Ecology and Life History
With the help of reports of rare encounters, Oarfish was first described in 1772. They are solitary animals and normally measure up to 8 meters.Oarfish feed upon zooplankton, shrimps, and other crustaceans residing in the ocean. They also consume small fishes, jellyfish, and squids
Regalecus glesne spawns from July to December. They release brightly colored eggs that float with the help of oceanic current. The eggs hatch after three weeks into larvae that are slightly similar to their adult forms. These larvae feed on zooplanktons as they mature. If we compare it to the adults, the body structure of the oarfish larvae looks more compressed.
Oarfish Behavior
In 2001, an oarfish was monitored alive in situ. It was seen that the oarfish propelled itself by an amiiform mode of swimming which means rhythmically moving the dorsal fin while keeping the body straight.
Scientists got hold of footage of the fish swimming in its natural habitat in the Gulf of Mexico in the July 2008. It was quite an astounding feat as oarfish are normally found dead or dying in the surface of a shore. The fish was about five to ten meters long.
There was an interesting incident that occurred in Japan. From December 2009 to March 2010, numerous oarfish appeared unusually in the waters and on the beaches of Japan. According to the folklore, it was said that it’s a sign of a potential earthquake.
After the 2011 incident of the Fukushima earthquake and tsunami, many believed that the oarfish incident from 2009 to 2010 was in fact true. This ultimately built up the famous myth.In 2016, Animal Planet aired an episode of the television series in which Jeremy Wade encountered a live oarfish while diving.
In the rare footage, he was able to film two oarfish swimming. This footage is quite rare as it is the only known footage of a healthy and living oarfish swimming in its own environment. As seen from the previous reports by the scientists and researchers, the oarfish were propelling themselves by an amiiform mode of swimming.
Habitat and Distribution:
Oarfish predominantly inhabit the mesopelagic and bathypelagic zones of the ocean, which are characterized by their extreme depths, ranging from 200 meters to more than 3,000 meters.
These regions are known as the “twilight” and “midnight” zones, respectively, where little sunlight penetrates, and temperatures remain near freezing.
Oarfish are often found in temperate and tropical waters worldwide, although they are more commonly encountered in the Atlantic Ocean, particularly off the coasts of North America, Europe, and Africa.
They are infrequently seen near the surface but are occasionally stranded on beaches, often posthumously, due to injuries or sickness.
The Oarfish’s Cryptic Behavior:
The oarfish’s behavior remains a subject of fascination and mystery for marine biologists. Their elusive nature and deep-sea habitat make them challenging to study. Oarfish are generally thought to be solitary creatures, with little known about their social interactions or mating habits.
One of the most remarkable aspects of the oarfish’s behavior is its ability to “strand” itself in shallow waters, leading to a history of legends and myths surrounding the creature. These strandings are often attributed to illness or injury, causing the oarfish to lose buoyancy and float to the surface.
Scientific Significance and Ongoing Research:
Oarfish play a crucial role in marine ecosystems, serving as both predator and prey. Studying these deep-sea giants provides valuable insights into the intricate web of life in the ocean’s depths.
Researchers are particularly interested in understanding the oarfish’s physiology, behavior, and migratory patterns. Recent advancements in technology, such as remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and deep-sea submersibles, have enabled scientists to explore the oarfish’s natural habitat more extensively.
This has led to a surge in research efforts, shedding light on previously unknown aspects of their biology.
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Conclusion
All the reports and facts have taken from official publications. Oarfish are very rare and yet has myths around it. This particular species was the reason the popular folklore about sea serpents exists.
This is probably due to their long, compressed and feeble bodies, which resemble those of a snake. Hence, we hope this article provided you an insight about this misunderstood creature.
