The giant oarfish is a species of oarfish found worldwide outside polar waters, with a ribbon-like body that makes it the longest known ray-finned fish, reaching record lengths of seven to eight meters and possibly up to eleven meters. It has a dorsal fin running its entire length, stubby pectoral fins, long oar-shaped pelvic fins, silver and blue coloring with dark spots, and crimson red fins. Its undulating swimming motion and unusual shape have led researchers to suggest it is the likely real-world source of sea serpent legends.
Facts
Classification
System (Realm) Relationship to People Living or Extinct Comparison
NatureServe Rank CITES Appendix Scientific Name Conservation Status Connections
Child Taxon Of
Source Giant oarfish (Wikidata)
In Biome
Source FishBase: Regalecus glesne (FishBase)
In the Other Atlases
Found In
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Showing 51 to 55 of 55 in Found In, page 2 of 2.
Sources
1. FishBase: Regalecus glesne food items
FishBaseFood items tableQuote, Food items table
nekton finfish bony fish iniomous fishes Papua New Guin. juv./adults nekton finfish n.a./other finfish unidentified small fish (not available) juv./adults
View the Source 2. GBIF Species API
3. FishBase: Regalecus glesne (FishBase)
FishBaseHuman uses
Fisheries: minor commercial; gamefish: yes
In Biome: Open Ocean, Environment: pelagic-oceanic
Marine; pelagic-oceanic; oceanodromous
View the Source 4. Giant oarfish (Wikidata)
Wikidata- Wikidata Q310390 (P225 taxon name)
- Wikidata P141 (IUCN conservation status) claim, entity QID Q310390
Statements section, conservation status (P141)
IUCN Red List conservation status (Wikidata property P141): least concern.
- Child Taxon Of: Actinopterygii, Wikidata parent-taxon (P171) chain
View the Source 5. NatureServe Explorer: Regalecus glesne
NatureServe ExplorerGlobal rank (roundedGRank)Quote, Global rank (roundedGRank)
"roundedGRank": "GNR"
View the Source 6. UNEP-WCMC Species+ database (CITES Secretariat): Species+: Animalia
UNEP-WCMC Species+ database (CITES Secretariat)Species+ taxon_concepts, id 23Quote, Species+ taxon_concepts, id 23
"cites_listing":"I/II/III/NC","eu_listing":"A/B/C/D/NC","higher_taxa":{"kingdom":"Animalia","phylum":null,"class":null,"order":null,"family":null},"synonyms":[],"common_names":[{"name":"Animals","language":"EN"},{"name":"Fauna","language":"EN"},{"name":"Animaux","language":"FR"}],"cites_listings":[]
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