Oarfish
Oarfish are pelagic lampriform fish belonging to the Regalecidae family. The Giant Oarfish is a species of enormous oarfish living in the depths of the ocean around the world and is seldom seen. Because of this shy nature, it was once thought to be a rare species. When they have been found, they were either injured or dead. Since their usual habitat is considerably deep, they have not been observed interacting with humans often, nor have many specimens been seen alive. Thus, scientists have little way of knowing about the species, or how threatened they really are. Also known as the ribbon fish, streamer fish, king of herrings, and Pacific oarfish, it is the largest living bony fish on the planet.
Giant oarfish can grow to lengths of approaching 50 feet, although the standard length of the fish is about 9.8 feet. These sea-serpent-like creatures have only been seen alive a handful of times. Oarfish are the likely source of sea serpent myths that sprung up over centuries across most maritime cultures around the world. Those fortunate enough to have seen them at the sea surface have noted their heads sticking out of the water as their remarkably long bodies slither along below. Their rare appearance on the ocean surface has made them so mysterious that Japan even includes the creature in its folklore.
