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Giant bizarre deep sea fish filmed in Gulf of Mexico
Using a remotely operated vehicle, they caught a rare glimpse of the huge oarfish, perhaps the first sighting of the fish in its natural setting.
The oarfish, which can reach 17m long, has previously only been seen on a few occasions dying at the sea surface, or dead washed ashore.
The scientists also filmed for the first time the behaviour of a manefish.
"As we approached it retreated downwards swimming tail first in a vertical orientation as the ROV followed," Professor Benfield explained.
The team followed the fish for about five minutes before breaking off contact to resume their surveys.
"What was interesting about the fish was its swimming behaviour," said Professor Benfield.
"It moved by undulating its dorsal fin in waves that propelled it backwards at quite a good speed."
Early estimates measure the fish at between 5m and 10m in length.
news.bbc.co.uk...
Their strange appearance may have provided the basis for the sea serpent myths told by early ocean travellers.
Mark Benfield from Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, US was undertaking a survey as part of the Serpent project, a collaboration between marine scientists and energy companies such as BP, Shell, Chevron and Petrobras working in the Gulf of Mexico.
Using remotely operated vehicles (ROV) provided by the oil and gas companies, the scientists are able to explore the deep like never before.
Or, the inspiration for ancient oars?
Originally posted by PtolemyII
reply to post by C0bzz
I think oarfish were once much more abundant and often seen . They probably also got a lot bigger .
I suspect they were the inspiration for ancient dragons .
Originally posted by On7a7higher7plane
reply to post by C0bzz
Wow that is large.
Originally posted by C0bzz
Giant bizarre deep sea fish filmed in Gulf of Mexico
Using a remotely operated vehicle, they caught a rare glimpse of the huge oarfish, perhaps the first sighting of the fish in its natural setting.
The oarfish, which can reach 17m long, has previously only been seen on a few occasions dying at the sea surface, or dead washed ashore.
The scientists also filmed for the first time the behaviour of a manefish.
"As we approached it retreated downwards swimming tail first in a vertical orientation as the ROV followed," Professor Benfield explained.
The team followed the fish for about five minutes before breaking off contact to resume their surveys.
"What was interesting about the fish was its swimming behaviour," said Professor Benfield.
"It moved by undulating its dorsal fin in waves that propelled it backwards at quite a good speed."
Early estimates measure the fish at between 5m and 10m in length.
news.bbc.co.uk...
I thought this was pretty interesting as it is the first time it has been filmed before. It also seems to swim in an unusual way, unlike most regular fish and elongated fish such as eels.
Thanks,.