A gorgeous three-metre giant oarfish has recently washed up at Preservation Bay in Penguin, Tasmania. Its vivid beauty and ties to legends have enchanted not just the general public but scientists. Oarfish Their most distinctive characteristic, at least for humans, is their massive size, as they can reach lengths of eight or nine metres. Local resident Tony Cheesman’s recent discovery has renewed interest in this mysterious creature. 2 Ryūgū-no-tsukai In Japanese folklore, it’s often referred to as ryūgū-no-tsukai, which translates to “the sea god’s palace messenger.”
Oarfish inhabit between 200 and 1,500 metres below the oceanic surface. This turns them into the most elusive and shiest of creatures that humans come to see. Prof Culum Brown, a marine biologist, explained how random oarfish appearances can be. They literally just show up out of nowhere,” he added, noting that’s what makes spotting them so unpredictable.
The giant oarfish has a particularly long, ribbon-shaped body and an undulating, continuous dorsal fin. It is just one of the many cool species of this amazing and primitive fish. Cheesman explained some of this creature’s unusual attributes, “They’re super long and skinny, sort of like a piece of ribbon. Sheesh, he said, that’s pretty nice, it was too nice a day for that, with the find.
Throughout history, the arrival of oarfish has also been steeped in superstition. In Japanese culture, these monsters are thought to be omens of disasters including earthquakes or tsunamis. The discovery in Penguin adds to a historical narrative. An Australian newspaper reported a supposed sea serpent sighting in the same area back in 1878, which closely resembled an oarfish.
Though oarfish share equal legendary allure with their compatriot the giant squid, oarfish are actually still a bit of mystery to scientists. Prof Brown remarked on the significance of such discoveries for research, stating, “We don’t know very much about them. So any specimen that washes up is really valuable.” His comments further highlight the scientific community’s desire to know more about these mysterious deep-sea dwellers.
With bright coloration and an unmistakable appearance, the giant oarfish truly captivated all who met it. Interest in this elusive ocean dweller has skyrocketed. Whether they hail from New Jersey or a nearby university, locals and researchers are both excited to discover what its surprise debut portends.