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Biological Profiles

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South Florida Aquatic Environments About the Different Groups of Fishes About the Anatomy of Fish and Sharks How Fish and Sharks Swim About Fish Adaptations About the Endangered Species Act How to Become a Biologist About Careers In Ichthyology Most Commonly Asked Shark Questions Most Commonly Asked Sawfish Questions Most Commonly Asked Ray and Skate Questions Most Commonly Asked Fish Questions Identification Key to Freshwater Fishes of Peninsular Florida Field Key to Sharks Skates of the Western Gulf of Maine Project Shark Awareness - A Public Outreach Educational Program Shark Fishing in U.S. Territorial Waters Most Commonly Asked Sawfish Questions Sawfish In Peril - PowerPoint file Sawfish Informational Brochure - Acrobat file Sawfish Outreach Boat Ramp/Marina Sign - Acrobat file Sawfish References Sawfish Links Smalltooth Sawfish species profile Largetooth Sawfish species profile Green Sawfish species profile Freshwater Sawfish species profile Dwarf Sawfish species profile Knifetooth Sawfish species profile Chondrichthyes Bibliography Search Freshwater Fishes of Florida References General Fish References Shark References Sawfish References Childrens' Shark Books Stingray Reproduction References Biological Profiles Glossary of Terms Shark Games: Test Your Knowlege! 2003 Open House Photos OARFISH Order - Lampriformes Family - Regalecidae Genus - Regalecus Species - glesne Taxonomy The oarfish was originally described as Regalecus glesne by Ascanius in 1772. Synonyms referring to this fish in past scientific literature include Regalecus remipes Brünnich 1788, Cepola gladius Walbaum 1792, Gymnetrus hawkenii Bloch 1795, Gymnetrus grillii Lindorth 1798, Gymnetrus ascanii Shaw 1803, Cephalepis octomaculatus Rafinesque 1810, Gymnetrus longiradiatus Risso 1820, Gymnetrus banksii Valenciennes 1835, Regalecus banksii Valenciennes 1835, Gymnetrus telum Valenciennes 1835, Gymnetrus capensis Valenciennes 1835, Gymnetris gladius Valenciennes 1835, Regalecus jonesii Newman 1860, Regalecus pacificus Haast 1878, Regalecus masterii De Vis 1891, and Regalecus caudatus Zugmayer 1914. Oarfish are greatly elongated, large fish in the family Regalecidae. This family, derived from the Latin regalis meaning "royal", contains four species within two genera. This species, Regalecus glesne, is listed in the Guiness Book of World Records as the longest bony fish alive. Its common name arises from its highly compressed and elongated body or from the old belief that the fish moves through the water by "rowing" itself with the pelvic fins. Common Names English language common names are oarfish, giant oarfish, king of herrings, king of the herring, oar-fish, Pacific oarfish, ribbon-fish, ribbonfish, and streamer fish. Other common names are airokala (Finnish), bandfisch (German), brandfisch (German), fjamma tal-fond (Maltese), haringkoning (Dutch), heringskönig (German), kurdele bal??? (Turkish), pai-da-sarda (Portuguese), peixe-real (Portuguese), pez remo (Spanish), pojas (Croatian), re di aringhe (Italian), regaleco (Portuguese), regalengo (Portuguese), rei dels peixos (Catalan), rei-dos-arenques (Portuguese), relangueiro (Portuguese), rey de los arenques (Spanish), reimenfisch (German), roi des harengs (French), régalec (French), sildakongur (Faroese), sildasterril (Faroese), sildekonge (Danish), sillkung (Swedish), sillkungen (Swedish), sneesvis (Afrikaans), síldakóngur (Icelandic), vasilias regon (Greek), and wstegor królewski (Polish). Geographical Distribution The oarfish is widely distributed in the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean and from Topanga Beach in southern California south to Chile in the eastern Pacific Ocean. These locations are from human observations, however it is thought to be a cosmopolitan species with the exception of the polar seas. World distribution map for the oarfish Habitat An oceanic species, the oarfish is found living at great depths to 3,280 feet (1,000 m) Oarfish are reponsible for legendary stories Historical Image but more typically to depths of 656 feet (200 m). It is occasionally found cast upon beaches after storms or near the surface when injured or dying. This may have led to legendary stories of sea serpent sightings during ancient times by mariners and beach visitors. The oarfish swims by undulating its long dorsal fin while its body remains straight which is knows as an amiiform mode of swimming. It has also been observed swimming in a vertical position in what is believed to be a method that the oarfish searches for prey items. This species is believed to live solitary lives with the exception of spawning activities. Biology Oarfish © George Burgess ˇ Distinctive Features Oarfish have a long tapering body with a small protrusible mouth containing no visible teeth. The body is scaleless with the skin covered instead by silvery guanine. This species has no swim bladder. The dorsal fin originates just above the relatively small eyes, running the entire length of the fish. It is distinctly colored, ranging from pinkish to cardinal red. Consisting of approximately 400 dorsal fin rays, the first 10-12 are elongated forming a trailing crest with reddish spots and flaps of skin on the tip of each ray. The pelvic fins are also elongated and adorned while the pectoral fins are small and located low on the body. There is no anal fin and the caudal fin is either quite small or absent with the body tapering to a fine point. Oarfish head and caudal tip © George Burgess Oarfish pelvic fin tip and fleshy tab upclose © George Burgess ˇ Coloration The scaleless body is covered with silver to silvery-blue skin with blotches and wavy markings on the body. Markings fade quickly upon death of the fish. The fins are pinkish or red in color. ˇ Dentition Oarfish have no visible teeth. ˇ Size, Age, and Growth The maximum reported length of the oarfish is 36 feet (1,100 cm) total length although it is more commonly observed at lengths of approximately 10 feet (300 cm) total length. It is considered the longest bony fish alive in modern times by the Guinness Book of World Records. The maximum published weight of this species is 600 pounds (272.0 kg). ˇ Food Habits Oarfish feed on plankton, crustaceans, and squid by straining them from the water column using specially evolved gill rakes located in the mouth. One specimen caught off the coast of California contained a large volume (10,000 individuals) of krill (euphausids). ˇ Reproduction Although little is known about oarfish reproduction, spawning has been observed off of Mexico between July and December. The eggs are large, measuring .08-.16 inches (2-4 mm) in diameter and containing numerous oil droplets. After spawning is complete, the fertilized eggs are pelagic, remaining at the surface of the ocean until hatching. It is believed that the eggs take up to three weeks to incubate. Upon hatching, the larvae appear similar to adults but in miniature and feed primarily on plankton until they mature. ˇ Predators Due to its significant size, larger fish including sharks are the primary potential predators of the oarfish. NOAA film screen capture of an oarfish NOAA Importance to Humans The oarfish is not of commercial value due to its deep water habitat and poor quality of meat which is gelatinous and generally considered inedible. However, considered a gamefish by some, it has been caught with encircling nets and marketed fresh in some local areas. This species is rarely observed by humans when it is swimming at the surface or washed upon the beach. Encounters with live oarfish are very rare. In fact it wasn't until 2001 that a live oarfish was captured on film by the US Navy. Danger to Humans A close relative of the oarfish, the streamer fish (Agrostichthys parkeri) has been reported to be electrogenic, producing a mild shock when handled by humans. It is unclear if the oarfish shares this capability. Conservation The oarfish has not been evaluated by the World Conservation Union (IUCN). The IUCN is a global union of states, governmental agencies, and non-governmental organizations in a partnership that assesses the conservation status of species. Prepared by: Cathleen Bester