Gearhart, Oregon – A bizarre sight has left beachgoers in Oregon awestruck: a massive 7-Foot Fish, has washed ashore on the northern Oregon coast. The 7.3-foot (2.2 meter) hoodwinker sunfish, initially mistaken for the more common ocean sunfish, has sparked scientific curiosity and social media buzz.
7-Foot Fish: A Unique Discovery
The Seaside Aquarium confirmed the unusual visitor on Monday, crediting its identification to a New Zealand-based sunfish researcher, Marianne Nyegaard. Nyegaard, upon examining photos, identified the fish as a hoodwinker sunfish (Mola tecta) – a rarer relative of the ocean sunfish (Mola mola). The aquarium believes this specimen could potentially be the largest hoodwinker sunfish ever documented.
Hidden in Plain Sight
The name “hoodwinker” refers to the fact that this species has likely gone unnoticed for years, blending in with its more well-known cousin. Nyegaard’s 2017 research, utilizing genetic analysis and observation, officially distinguished the hoodwinker sunfish as a distinct species.
The discovery of this 7-Foot hoodwinker sunfish on the Oregon coast throws a curveball at previous assumptions about its habitat. Traditionally, this species was thought to reside solely in the southern hemisphere’s temperate waters. Recent strandings in California and Alaska suggest a wider range, and the aquarium posits that past Pacific Northwest sightings might have been misidentified.
A Public Spectacle
The unique 7-Foot Fish, with its flat, round, and grayish body, has become a social media sensation. Photos showcasing its impressive size next to a person and a pickup truck have garnered significant online attention. The Seaside Aquarium reports that the fish remains on the beach. Due to its tough skin, might stay there for weeks, offering a rare opportunity for curious onlookers.
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