Ribbon/Oar Fish

[sam harris]

Another Ribbon/Oar fish was found washed up dead this morning at Tynemouth. A lady walking her dog found the ten foot long long fish on the rocks on the North side of Tynemouth Pier. She phoned the Blue Reef Aquarium who collected it and are planning to preserve it if they can. This is the second of this species to be found dead along our coast in less than a month. This fish is normally found in the deep waters of the North Atlantic at depths of 500 fathoms plus, so why they are turning up along our coastline I don't know.
The fish was in perfect condition and looked as if it had just died, there was no sign of any disease or damage to it. I got photographs of it, and if I can work out how to I will try and put them on here for you.
Sam.

[Charlton]

Another Ribbon/Oar fish was found washed up dead this morning at Tynemouth. A lady walking her dog found the ten foot long long fish on the rocks on the North side of Tynemouth Pier. She phoned the Blue Reef Aquarium who collected it and are planning to preserve it if they can. This is the second of this species to be found dead along our coast in less than a month. This fish is normally found in the deep waters of the North Atlantic at depths of 500 fathoms plus, so why they are turning up along our coastline I don't know.
The fish was in perfect condition and looked as if it had just died, there was no sign of any disease or damage to it. I got photographs of it, and if I can work out how to I will try and put them on here for you.
Sam.

make that the third, just found out there was another at Hauxley on Monday

[northeast1]

What do they feed on may have a abetter chance in catching one of them than a cod the way the fishing has been lol

[Charlton]

the oarfish found at Hauxley yesterday, apprently it was still alive when found. From what I have read and heard they come out of the water when they are going to die.

[seanyrooroo]

Thats not a fish, thats a git long sanitary towel pmsl

[Topfly]

That's correct Alan , they beach themselves, dolphins sometimes do the same when they are ill, so as not to trouble the rest of the pod.

[northeast1]

It is on tele text as well.

[Gaverick]

Story on it here

'Monster of the deep' washed up on North East beach » Environment » 24dash.com

[5150]

Interesting - we found a squid dead on Druridge bay beach at the weekend and some dead flatties there aswell, wonder if there's something going on in the sea since there seems to be such a lack of fish at the minute also.

[Charlton]

Tynemouth oarfish, photo's courtesy of Sam and Chris Harris

[The Great Wallsendo]

Oarfish, Regalecus glesne

as well as a host of other references from around the world...it must be noted they all seem to be from more temperate climates

The Oarfish is found worldwide in all tropical and temperate marine waters. It is thought to live at depths between 20 m and 200 m, where it feeds largely on invertebrates and fishes.

A glimpse of the future perhaps??

[5150]

There's video footage on youtube of a diver encountering a live one, fascinating creatures.

[Charlton]

There's video footage on youtube of a diver encountering a live one, fascinating creatures.

sure somebody posted a link to a video of an oarfish actually grounding it self the last time one was reported. Fascinating video

[seanyrooroo]

Isla San Marcos Sea Story 09-01-07 ¡OARFISH! - Bloodydecks.com

[kela66]

simply amazing