Two Australian men caught a giant oarfish – one of the rarest fish species in the world in the Top End.
A social media post showed both men posing beside the fish, characterized by its horse-like head, large eyes, and long, slender body.
An expert noted that such a catch in the Top End is extremely rare.
Two men taking a picture with the giant oarfish.
“This is the first time I’ve heard of someone catching an oarfish in this area,” said Alex Julius, a journalist who specializes in fishing columns for NT News. He added that most oarfish are usually found washed ashore or dead.
However, he mentioned that oarfish are not known for their culinary value. “They are not particularly tasty to eat, as they have a jelly-like texture,” he explained.
The photo of the giant fish posted on the Facebook page of Fishing Australia TV on the evening of September 20 garnered 1,300 comments and 470 shares.
The giant oarfish (Regalecus glesne) was first described in 1772, but it is rarely encountered as they live deep in the ocean. According to scientists, the oarfish is the longest bony fish in the world, capable of reaching lengths of up to 17 meters and weighing as much as 270 kilograms.
Oarfish have a silver body and are sometimes referred to as “the king of the herring,” due to their similar appearance to this smaller fish species. However, they are named oarfish because of their long pectoral fins resembling oars. This species can swim vertically at depths of up to 1,000 meters and is often called “the Fish of the Apocalypse.”
Oarfish primarily feed on small plankton and have a small opening to facilitate their digestive system. This fish does not have real teeth; instead, it possesses finer structures known as gill rakers to catch small prey.
Oarfish are sometimes spotted on the ocean surface, but scientists believe this occurrence is due to them being pushed by storm surges or strong currents washing them ashore, or they may have encountered accidents and died. While oarfish may look like a fearsome sea monster, they have never been considered a threat to humans.
