A huge oarfish was caught on camera in the Gulf of Mexico recently, giving scientists a rare glimpse of the bizarre fish in its native deep sea habitat. It is believed to be the world's first sighting of the backwards-swimming, giant "serpent" oarfish alive in its natural habitat.
Using a remotely operated vehicle, they caught a rare glimpse of that giant bizarre fish.
Researcher Mark Benfield describes the fish, a likely inspiration for the sea serpent myth. The glowing, metallic-coloured fish can grow up to 17m-long and has only ever been seen dying on the sea surface or dead washed ashore.
Oarfish (Regalecus glesne) are one of the world's longest fish reaching 17m. Their strange appearance may have provided the basis for the sea serpent myths told by early ocean travellers.
Previously found Oarfish -->
Not only are they elongated, they also have a prominent dorsal fin which gives it an unusual "serpent" appearance.
Recalling the event Professor Benfield explained how at first, they thought the fish was simply a drilling pipe called a riser being lowered into the water.
"We saw this bright vertical shiny thing, I said 'are they lowering more riser?' as it looked like they were lowering a huge pipe."
Via - BBC News
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