This strange seven-foot fish washed up on the Oregon coast last week, attracting the attention of bemused locals, but it turns out to be a newly discovered species and may be the largest ever seen.
The 7-foot fish washed up on the Oregon coast last week. (AP)
A giant, alien-looking fish that washed up on an Oregon coast this week has been identified as a new species — and it may be the largest of its kind ever found.
The surprising creature, measuring about 7 feet long, was discovered on the beach in Gearhart, Oregon on June 3, leaving locals baffled as to what it was. According to a press release from Seaside Aquarium, the strange creature had been left on the beach for five days, with scavengers seemingly struggling to penetrate the tough, leathery flesh. While initially a mystery, photos of the creature eventually caused a stir on social media and caught the attention of marine biologists.
Marianne Nygard, a New Zealand oceanographer with expertise on marine creatures known as sunfish, identified the large, gray, round creature as a hoodwinker sunfish, a relatively new addition to marine biology, having only been described by Nygard in 2017.
Photos of the gigantic creature grabbed the attention of social media users (AP)
In a study published at the time, Nygard used genetic samples and observations to prove that the sunfish (Mola tecta) is a separate species from its more common relative, the oceanarium's sunfish (Mola mola), the aquarium said. “Tecta” is Latin for hidden or disguised, and the aquarium said it was referring to the new species that was “hiding in plain sight.”
But the discovery of this species of sunfish on the Oregon coast is particularly intriguing because it was originally thought to be exclusive to the Southern Hemisphere, with sightings reported around Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. This specimen is believed to be the largest of its kind ever found, raising questions about its migration patterns and ecological adaptations.
The sunfish was more than seven feet long and is believed to be the largest ever found. (AP)
In recent years, there has been an increase in sightings of Hoodwinker sunfish in North American waters, particularly off the coasts of California and Alaska. These sightings suggest that shifts in ocean currents and changes in the migratory behavior of sunfish may be causing them to move further north than usual.
Either way, the discovery of the Hooded Winker Sunfish at Gearhart Beach is not only a unique opportunity for scientists to learn more about the species, but it's also fascinated locals and caused a stir in the nearby area. It still remained intact on the beach last Friday (June 7), and the aquarium is urging people to come out to the beach and see it while they still can.
The hoodwinker sunfish species was first defined in 2017 by marine biologist Marianne Nygard (Associated Press).
They said: “[The fish] “It will probably stick around for a few more days, or even weeks, because its tough skin makes it difficult for scavengers to bite it. It's an incredible fish and the aquarium encourages people to go and see it for themselves.”
According to Britannica, the hoodwinker sunfish can reach a length of about 8 feet, making it smaller than other sunfish that can grow to over 10 feet. Its unique features, including its bullet-like shape, tough skin, and small mouth with beak-like teeth, set it apart from other species.
