A one-of-a-kind deep-sea angler fish has been discovered on an Oregon beach, marking the first recorded sighting in the area, as reported by a local aquarium.
The Seaside Aquarium, situated in Seaside, Oregon, shared the extraordinary finding in a Facebook post on May 18. Beachgoers near Cannon Beach stumbled upon the deceased Pacific footballfish.
These elusive creatures typically inhabit depths of 2,000 to 3,300 feet in complete darkness, making sightings exceedingly rare. Only 31 specimens have been documented worldwide.
According to the aquarium, this fish represents the 32nd Pacific footballfish ever observed by humans. While a few have been spotted in various locations like New Zealand, Japan, and California, this marks the first sighting along the Oregon Coast
The life of a Pacific footballfish is shrouded in mystery, but their hunting tactics are intriguing. Like other angler fish, they lure prey using light emitted from a phosphorescent bulb on their forehead
In terms of diet, these creatures are not selective eaters, consuming whatever they can find on the ocean floor. Given the scarcity of food at such depths, Pacific footballfish are known to ingest anything that fits into their mouths.
Adding to their uniqueness, female Pacific footballfish outweigh males by tenfold and take on the role of primary hunters. Males, on the other hand, are described as “parasites” by the aquarium.
This rare discovery sheds light on the fascinating world of deep-sea creatures and underscores the importance of ocean conservation efforts.
