How the Giant Oarfish Functions

Quck answer

Giant oarfish, also known as the “king of herrings,” are deep-sea fish that can grow up to 36 feet long. They have long, ribbon-like bodies and are known for their vivid silver color and bright red fins. Despite their size, not much is known about these elusive creatures. Scientists believe that they primarily feed on plankton and small fish, and have been known to swim vertically to the surface to feed. They are also believed to be solitary creatures and are rarely seen by humans. Despite their mysterious nature, giant oarfish hold an important place in the ocean ecosystem and are essential to maintaining a healthy marine environment.

Wild Animals

An enormous head of a giant oarfish that washed up in Southern California in October 2013 is measured by a NOAA biologist.
Image courtesy NOAA

Regalecus glesne, also known as the king of herrings, has been mistaken for sea monsters by sailors for centuries. This creature has a majestic history and is feared in legend and myth. However, the giant oarfish appears more like a colossal snake with an ugly face. This king is not very stately at all.

Although we haven’t seen giant oarfish in their prime over the past few years, two specimens washed up separately on the California coast in October 2013, dead and bloated. They made the news in part because of their enormous size. Giant oarfish have been known to grow up to 36 feet (11 meters) and weigh up to 600 pounds (272 kilograms). Unconfirmed reports have claimed a length of 56 feet (17 meters). The ones that washed up were mere trifles at 14 and 18 feet (4 and 5 meters), but with their bulging eyes and the red rays sprouting off their dorsal fin, “monster” might spring to mind. This is why Palauans refer to them as “rooster fish.”

Before diving into the details of our giant friend, there are a few things to know about oarfish in general. There are two different genuses of oarfish, Regalecus and Agrostichthys. Agrostichthys grows much smaller than Regalecus, and even the smaller Russelli species of Regalecus are reported to grow about 16 feet (5 meters). However, we will mainly focus on our giant friends since they are the most likely to haunt your dreams.

In addition to discussing the physical traits of giant oarfish, we will also talk about a long-held Japanese legend that says oarfish washing ashore portends an earthquake. Should we be running to the hills after the multiple beachings in October 2013? Surprisingly, a couple of theories give the legend credence.

Physical Characteristics of Giant Oarfish

R. glesne gets vertical in waters near the Bahamas. This photo is rare because giant oarfish aren’t usually photographed alive.
Jonathan Bird/Photolibrary/Getty Images

The giant oarfish’s physical attributes are undoubtedly what make it most interesting to us. However, it’s important to delve deeper into the physicality of this fish because it’s not just a pretty face. If you looked at the shiny, silvery body of Regalecus glesne, you might assume that it has scales, much like a trout or most other “bony fish.” Giant oarfish are the biggest of the bony fish, which have bone, as opposed to cartilage, skeletons. However, R. glesne actually has soft skin covered with guanine, the crystals that add a pearlescent sheen. Therefore, giant oarfish skin is fairly delicate and easily damaged when these animals aren’t in their high-pressure, deep-sea surroundings. Giant oarfish, also referred to as “ribbonfish,” are flat, more like an eel than a snake.

The giant oarfish has a striking appearance, with its dorsal fin providing a pop of color through its thin, red or coral-colored fins stretching from end to end. Its pelvic fins also fan out like oars. Despite their size, the giant oarfish can fall prey to predators, but their organs are concentrated towards the front of their body, providing some protection from fatal wounds. The oarfish can also swim vertically, making it difficult for predators to spot. Little is known about their reproduction, but their eggs start small and grow as they feed on plankton. They typically live in the twilight zone of the ocean, with depths ranging from 600 to 3,000 feet. Overall, the giant oarfish is a fascinating and elusive creature.

The giant oarfish may look intimidating, but it’s actually a harmless creature that feeds on plankton and small squid. Despite its size, the oarfish is not a predator and poses no threat to humans. Although they were once thought to be rare, oarfish are now being caught more frequently in nets and washing up on beaches around the world. However, their gelatinous flesh is considered unappetizing and not fit for consumption. The oarfish also has a rich history, with tales of sea monsters and myths surrounding the elusive creature. While they may seem frightening, encountering a giant oarfish in the wild is nothing to fear.

There’s a belief that giant oarfish have a mysterious ability to predict earthquakes, according to some. This idea comes from a Japanese legend, which states that when oarfish beach themselves, it coincides with seismic activity. There are various theories about how this works, such as the release of carbon monoxide gas or hydrogen peroxide produced by deep-sea rocks. However, none of these theories have been proven or studied. Additionally, it’s worth noting that this myth isn’t about the giant oarfish but the slightly smaller slender oarfish, known as “Messenger from the Sea God’s Palace” in Japan. Despite the coincidence of smaller oarfish washing up on Japan’s shore before the 2011 earthquake, it’s unlikely that this is related to seismic activity. As someone who lives on the coast, the author finds the giant oarfish particularly fascinating due to its size and unique appearance.

Other Articles of Interest

• Which Marine Animals Can You Swim With?
• The Science Behind Bioluminescence
• Can Animals Predict Natural Disasters?

Sources

• The Independent: “Oarfish mystery” by Steve Connor
• BBC News: “Oceanographer debunks oarfish earthquake myth” by BBC Radio
• Florida Museum of Natural History: “Oarfish” by Cathleen Bester
• All Hands Magazine: “Seals find serpent of the Sea” by John Carstens
• Fishbase.org: “Regalecus glesne” by Rainer Froese and Rodolfo B. Reyes
• Fishbase.org: “Regalecus russelii” by Cristina V. Garilao and Rainer Froese
• ABC News: “Monster oarfish beachings raise earthquake questions” by Russell Goldman
• National Geographic: “5 surprising facts about the oarfish that has been washing up on beaches” by Brian Clark Howard
• Sea and Sky: “Oarfish” by J.D. Knight
• The Torrance Daily Breeze: “Scientists eager to unlock mysteries of deep-sea oarfish” by Sandy Mazza
• Los Angeles Times: “Deaths of two giant oarfish may be linked, scientists say” by Samantha Schaefer
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: “Giant Oarfish” by National Marine Fisheries
• Yorkshire Coast Sealife, Fisheries and Maritime Archive and Museum: “Recent examinations of the oarfish, regalecus glesne, from the North Sea” by D.E. Whittaker
• The Japan Times: “Sea serpents’ arrival puzzling, or portentous?” by Daiki Yamamoto

FAQ

1. What is a giant oarfish?

A giant oarfish is a deep-sea fish that can grow up to 36 feet in length and weigh up to 600 pounds. They are typically found in the Pacific Ocean and are known for their unique appearance and long, ribbon-like bodies.

2. How do giant oarfish move through the water?

Giant oarfish move through the water by undulating their long, ribbon-like bodies. They use their pelvic fins to stabilize themselves and their dorsal fin to steer.

3. What do giant oarfish eat?

Giant oarfish feed on plankton and small fish. They use their long, toothless jaws to filter their food out of the water.

4. Where do giant oarfish live?

Giant oarfish are found in the deep waters of the Pacific Ocean, typically at depths of 200 to 1,000 meters.

5. How long do giant oarfish live?

The lifespan of giant oarfish is not well understood, but it is estimated to be around 30 years.

6. Are giant oarfish dangerous?

Giant oarfish are not considered dangerous to humans. They are rarely encountered, and there are no known instances of them attacking humans.

7. How do scientists study giant oarfish?

Scientists study giant oarfish using deep-sea submersibles and remotely operated vehicles. They also collect specimens that wash up on shore and analyze their anatomy and genetics.

8. Why are giant oarfish important?

Giant oarfish are important for understanding the biodiversity of deep-sea ecosystems. They are also considered a delicacy in some cultures.

9. How do giant oarfish reproduce?

The reproductive behavior of giant oarfish is not well understood, but it is believed that they spawn in the water column and release their eggs and sperm into the open ocean.

10. How many species of oarfish are there?

There are two known species of oarfish: the giant oarfish and the slender oarfish.

11. What are some interesting facts about giant oarfish?

Giant oarfish are the longest bony fish in the world. They have been known to wash up on shore after storms, leading some cultures to believe they are harbingers of earthquakes or other natural disasters.

12. What are some threats to giant oarfish?

Giant oarfish are not currently considered threatened or endangered. However, they can be accidentally caught in deep-sea fishing nets or be impacted by ocean pollution.