World Courant
A gaggle of divers encountered a uncommon large oarfish off the coast of Taiwan not too long ago.
The viral video, initially revealed by diving teacher Wang Cheng-Ru in June, reveals the group encountering the deep-sea fish in shallow water off the coast of the Ruifang District on the northeast nook of the island.
Footage of an enormous oarfish is uncommon as they’re usually discovered at depths between 200 and 1000 ft under the floor of the ocean.
Sightings of the glittering silver on its physique are an indication of an impending catastrophe, in line with legend. Nevertheless, the video reveals that the oarfish encountered by the group seems to be wounded.
“Many wonderful animals may be discovered off Taiwan’s northeast coast … nevertheless it was my first encounter with an enormous oarfish,” Cheng-Ru advised Newsweek.
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What is a big oarfish?
The large oarfish is a deep sea dweller that usually lives round 700 ft under the floor however has been discovered as deep as 3,280 ft below the ocean.
Oarfish may be discovered across the globe in non-Arctic waters and are characterised by their scaleless physique coated in silvery guanine.
It’s thought of the longest bony fish on the planet by Guinness World Information. In 1963, an oarfish was caught in New Jersey that was estimated to be 50 ft lengthy, and in1885, a 600-pound instance was caught in Maine.
The fish’s scientific identify is Regalecus glesne. It earned its widespread identify from its extremely compressed and elongated physique, in line with the Florida Museum of Pure Historical past.
Are oarfish harmful?
Whereas the sightings of reside oarfish are uncommon, those that see them are in little hazard.
Oarfish shouldn’t have enamel and feed on plankton by gill rakers.
Whereas the fish might have been inspiration for the tales of sea monsters, there are not any studies of encounters with oarfish leading to hurt.
Oarfish in mythology
Based on Japanese folklore, oarfish sightings are an omen of an impending catastrophe.
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The fish is named “ryugu no tsukai” – which interprets to “Messenger from the Sea God’s Palace” – and was believed to be the servant of the ocean god Ryūjin.
The legend says that the fish are despatched from the palace to the floor to warn individuals of coming earthquakes.
Whereas there have been sightings of the fish forward of the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and Fukishima nuclear catastrophe, scientists imagine the connection is spurious.
“There isn’t a scientific proof of a connection, so I don’t assume individuals want to fret,” Hiroyuki Motomura, a professor of ichthyology at Kagoshima College advised the New York Submit. “I imagine these fish are inclined to rise to the floor when their bodily situation is poor, rising on water currents, which is why they’re so usually lifeless when they’re discovered.”
This text initially appeared on USA TODAY: Divers off the coast of Taiwan catch uncommon large oarfish on video
Taiwanese divers encounter uncommon large oarfish
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