Science and Technology
The Gold Panicles
Oarfish: 5 Less Known Facts
The Gold Panicles
Science and Technology
Jhea Mae Tingson
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OPINION
2 3 Illustration by: Jeff Grief Dawis
The “Red Riding Hood” of the Deep Sea Looking onto its Up, Close and Personal structure. Its body is scaleless, covered with silvery guanine. The protrusible mouth is toothless. It does not possess the swim bladder. Oarfish dorsal fin is distinctly colored, ranging from pinkish to cardinal red. Comprising around 400 dorsal fin rays, the first 10-12 are elongated forming a trailing crest with reddish dot on the top of each ray. The anal fin is absent, and the caudal fin is either quite tiny or absent at times, with the body tapering to a fine point. They do have evolved gill rakes located in the mouth. Looking at its appearance, it won’t be too far off to call this fish, the “Red Riding Hood” of the deep seas. As long as we humans refrain from being the wicked wolf to it, the oarfish have nothing to worry about living their peaceful life in the deep sea.
The world’s longest bony fish Brian Clark Howard of National Geographic, in his article suggested that “ the giant oarfish (Regalecus glesne) was first described in 1772, but it has been rarely seen because it lives at considerable depths. It is not well known, but giant oarfish are thought to be in frequent depths around 3,300 feet (1000 meters). Giant oarfish are the longest known living species of bony fish, reaching a length of 56 (17 meters). They can weigh up to 600 pounds (270 kilograms).” Indeed, that’s what makes this elusive creature so extraordinary.
Tastes like gelatinous goo Not a lot is known about the conservation status of oarfish because they have rarely been observed alive, although fishermen do occasionally pull them up in nets as unwanted by catch or just washed ashore in shore lines. People have tried eating them, but “their flesh is flabby and gooey”, said Howard of National Geographic.
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A sign of coming disaster Many people have been buzzing about this creature that they seem to be the sign of pernicious earthquakes. Marc Lallanila, Assistant Editor of Live Science, in his article “Can Oarfish Predict Earthquakes?” suggested that “the oarfish is known in Japan as ryugu no tsukai or “messenger of the sea god’s palace”. Dozens of the deep-sea denizens where discovered by Japanese fishermen around the time a powerful 8.8 magnitude earthquake struck Chile in March 2010. Kiyoshi Wadatsumi, a specialist in ecological seismology, told the Japanese Times that “deep sea fishes living near the sea bottom are more sensitive to the movements of active faults than those near the surface of the sea.” Therefore, the oarfish are not the reasons why dreadful earthquakes but they are living organisms sensing earthquakes.
Not man-eater Oarfish are said to be harmless to human. They are toothless creatures. According to the study of the World Fishing Network website, “Despite its link to being dangerous sea serpents, there are no reports of any violent behavior from oarfish towards humans. They are solitary creatures that rarely ever comes to the surface, only doing so it on the verge of death. There are few underwater sightings but in rare footage. Giant oarfish shows a propensity to swim in vertical position using its dorsal fins for movement while keeping its body very still. It is speculated that this is a feeding position with prey primarily being zooplankton, shrimps, and other crustaceans, small fish and squids.” It simply shows that we do not need to worry for us to get harmed by these amazing creatures. The deep sea is a forgotten realm, a mystery to many of us. It is quite hard to imagine life 2.5 miles down below as we enjoy our time out sailing, boating, swimming and playing on the surface, but take a moment to think about what lurks beneath about according to the sailors of the sea. Oarfish is a special deep-sea creature. There are more significant things yet to explore about this unique living organism. It is never burden but a blessing in us human beings. Washing them off in shore lines is never a coincidence but there is a hidden truth we ought to know, a truth that will always prevail
The least explored area of the deep see is home to many mysterious creatures. The oceans have given birth to many myths, legends, mysteries and events still not completely explained by mankind. It was thought that no life would be possible there. But on the contrary, extraordinary marine life blooms in the deep sea and the oarfish is one example. This strange-looking organism, much like a lot of other creatures living in isolation, has been at the receiving end of prejudice since long. A subject of speculation owing to its habitat and appearing shrouded in mystery. Allow me to share to you 5 less known facts about this special creature I have gathered.
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