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Giant oarfish
Species of fish / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The giant oarfish (Regalecus glesne) is a species of oarfish of the family Regalecidae. It is an oceanodromous species with a worldwide distribution, excluding polar regions. Other common names include Pacific oarfish, king of herrings, ribbonfish, and streamer fish.[3]
Giant oarfish | |
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A taxidermied specimen of Regalecus glesne in Naturhistorisches Museum Wien | |
Scientific classification ![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Actinopterygii |
Order: | Lampriformes |
Family: | Regalecidae |
Genus: | Regalecus |
Species: | R. glesne |
Binomial name | |
Regalecus glesne Ascanius, 1772 | |
Synonyms [2] | |
Synonyms
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R. glesne is the world's longest ray-finned fish. Its shape is ribbon-like, narrow laterally, with a dorsal fin along its entire length, stubby pectoral fins, and long, oar-shaped pelvic fins, from which its common name is derived.[4] Its coloration is silver and blue with spots of dark pigmentation, and its fins are crimson.[5] Its physical characteristics and undulating mode of swimming have led to speculation that it might be the source of many "sea serpent" sightings.[3]