Three species of very long, ribbon-shaped silver fish with a red crest and a dorsal fin running the whole length of the body. They live in the open ocean worldwide and are rarely seen alive. The giant oarfish is the longest bony fish, and a likely source of sea serpent stories.
Quick answers
What is it?Fish
Carnivore?Yes
Dangerous?No
Domesticated?No
Awake when?Day & night
Hibernates?No
Kept as a pet?No
Do people eat it?No
Rarely caught; the larger species are fished on a small scale, but the flesh is gelatinous and not well regarded.
At a glance
Found inOceans
HabitatOpen ocean
ColoursSilver, Red
SizeHuge
LengthGiant oarfish usually about 3 m; record about 8 m
WeightUp to 272 kg (giant oarfish)
LegsNone
Covered inSkin
Lives alone
Lives for10–20 years
Can swim
Lays eggs
In the wild
- Where it lives
- Tropical, subtropical and warm temperate seas worldwide; the giant oarfish has been found from 72°N to 52°S.
- What it eats
- Mainly zooplankton (krill, shrimp and other small crustaceans strained from the water), plus small fish, jellyfish and squid.
Did you know
The longest bony fish, up to about 8 metres, and the likely source of sea serpent stories.
It often sheds part of its own tail, and may do so more than once.
In Japan it is said to foretell earthquakes, but a 2019 study found the link to be an "illusory correlation".
Often confused with
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