An oarfish washed ashore this week on Catalina Island, which sits off the coast of Los Angeles. These giants live in the deep ocean, and any sighting of one -- live or dead -- is a rare event.
Mountain and Sea Adventures
The oarfish is so big and exotic that it is thought to have inspired tales of legendary sea serpents, as told by ancient mariners.
Mountain and Sea Adventures
Educator Annie MacAulay found this week's oarfish on Catalina Island. "Even though the beautiful red crest, the eye and part of the tail had been consumed it was still an incredible sight," MacAulay said.
Mountain and Sea Adventures
It's said to be the longest bony fish alive. The oarfish name arises "from its highly compressed and elongated body or from the old belief that the fish moves through the water by 'rowing' itself with the pelvic fins," the Florida Museum of Natural History website says. The fish lives at depths of 3,280 feet but more typically at 656 feet (200 meters).
Mountain and Sea Adventures
An oarfish is a rare sight for anyone. Seeing and touching it "was indeed one of the highlights of my 25-year career as a marine science educator," said MacAulay, who's also a Catalina Island resident.
