Oarfish are large, greatly elongated, pelagic Lampriform fishes comprising the small family Regalecidae. Found in all temperate to tropical oceans yet rarely seen, the oarfish family contains four species in two genera. One of these, the king of herrings, is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest bony fish alive, at up to 17 metres (56 ft) in length. The common name oarfish is presumably in reference to either their highly compressed and elongated bodies, or to the former (but now discredited) belief that the fish “row” themselves through the water with their pelvic fins. The occasional beachings of oarfish after storms, and their habit of lingering at the surface when sick or dying, make oarfish a probable source of many sea serpent tales.
Rare encounters with divers and accidental catches have supplied what little is known of oarfish behavior and ecology. Apparently solitary animals, oarfish may frequent significant 
depths up to 1,000 metres (3,300 ft). In 2001 an oarfish was filmed alive and in situ: the 1.5 meter fish was spotted by a group of US Navy personnel during the inspection of a buoy in the Bahamas. The oarfish was observed to propel itself via an amiiform mode of swimming; that is, rhythmically undulating the dorsal fin whilst keeping the body itself straight. Perhaps indicating a feeding posture, oarfish have been observed swimming in a vertical orientation, with their long axis perpendicular to the ocean surface. In this posture the downstreaming light would silhouette the oarfishes’ prey, making them easier to spot.
I wonder if there is a freshwater version … found, for instance, in Lake Champlain, Loch Ness etc.?
Hi travelrat,
You just never know. Every time I read for instance National Geographic, there always seems to be another animal that was discovered, there is a lot we don’t know yet I feel.
Have a look at http://travelrat.wordpress.com/2010/03/03/monsters-and-steamboats … especially the video in the comments!
Hi travelrat,
Very interesting, especially the photo’s, it seems to be more eel like (no humps) it also seems to be very long. I feel you can’t dismiss these things, as I’ve stated before, they are discovering new species all the time. With the Oarfish, it only surfaces when it is about to die, this is why it’s not seen all the time. Who knows, if this “fish” in the Lake may have some strange behaviors as well. It obviously doesn’t surface all that much.
Awesome looking fish.
Hi Ron,
Yes it certainly is.
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Amazing the wonders of god’s creation. Another beastie of which I was unaware…so near to shore, too! I wondeer if oarfish are conducive to poetry? ourpoetrycorner.wordpress.com.
Hi Jonathan,
So many different types of creatures in the sea, and always new ones being discovered as well, I’m glad you enjoyed the post, and Thank You very much for your comment. Sorry I didn’t get to your comment sooner, I am on a break from blogging at the moment, but will certainly go to your blog for a visit when I return. 🙂
Very interesting, especially the photo’s!
Hi Stefan,
It is very pretty I thought in it’s own way, with the colours that it has, just amazing what type of creatures can be found in our waters.