July 14th 2024.
A surprising and unusual sight occurred on Monday when a massive hoodwinker sunfish was discovered washed up on Gearhart Beach in Oregon. This impressive creature, measuring 7.3 feet long, was far from its usual warm habitat in the southern hemisphere. The news of its appearance was brought to light by the Seaside Aquarium, who shared photos and information about the mysterious fish.
Known for their habit of floating on the surface of the ocean, hoodwinker sunfish are sometimes referred to as "sunbathing" fish. They were first discovered in 2017 and have only been spotted a few times near Australia, New Zealand, and throughout the Pacific. The aquarium shared on Facebook that the fish caused quite a stir on social media, with people flocking to the beach despite the stormy weather to catch a glimpse of this rare sighting.
While the hoodwinker sunfish captured the attention of people around the world, it held particular significance for marine biologist Marianne Nyegaard, who had published research on the species in 2017. Upon seeing the photos of the fish shared by the aquarium, Nyegaard noticed something unique that led her to believe it was not the common ocean sunfish, but something more elusive and intriguing.
Unlike ocean sunfish, which can regulate their body temperature by basking in the sun, hoodwinker sunfish have certain features that set them apart. As they grow, ocean sunfish develop wrinkled skin, but hoodwinkers remain smooth. These features, along with the fact that they had previously only been found in warm waters, made the discovery of this hoodwinker sunfish in the cold waters off the coast of Oregon even more remarkable.
The aquarium took tissue samples, measurements, and photos of the fish at Nyegaard's request, which confirmed her suspicion about its identity. The hoodwinker sunfish will likely remain on Gearhart Beach for several weeks, allowing locals and marine biology enthusiasts to marvel at this rare occurrence. The aquarium encourages people to visit and see the fish for themselves, as it truly is a remarkable sight.
This hoodwinker sunfish was not the only peculiar aquatic animal to make headlines recently. In May, a northern snakehead, an invasive fish with a snake-like head, was caught by an angler in Missouri. This serves as a reminder of the diverse and fascinating creatures that inhabit our oceans and the importance of preserving and protecting their habitats. Keep up with the latest news and updates on Metro's Whatsapp and join our community for breaking news and interesting stories.
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