🌊 /0uykGvpy9a- Scripps Institution of Oceanography December 15, 2021 “Each one of those accessory appendages has these bright silver tips that light up as well.”Įxperts don’t have any evidence to theorize why several deep-sea fish have washed ashore recently, but are interested in learning more about the specimens that have been collected, as well as any new ones that might wash up. “It has all these accessory appendages coming off of it,” he said. One of about 160 to 170 species of anglerfish, the Pacific footballfish is readily identifiable by its especially elaborate bioluminescent lure protruding from its head - a striking physical adaptation used to attract prey in the pitch-black depths, Ludt said. Ludt surmised that if there were a massive catastrophe or die-off, more would be found. The pair of recently collected specimens were remarkably well preserved and don’t appear to bear marks of trauma from an attack or poisoning from something like an oil spill. “That’s the million-dollar question right now,” Ludt said. Scientists don’t know exactly what it eats, how it reproduces - or what might be driving the cluster of sightings. With less than three dozen dead specimens available to study, very little is known about the fish that lives in depths of roughly 1,000 to 3,000 feet. They have discussed the curious occurrence, “but it’s hard to jump to any conclusions about why this is happening,” he said. The museum has four of the species in its collection, including one found by a beachgoer in Newport Beach in May.Įvery time one washes ashore, Ludt said, he’s inundated with calls from friends and colleagues. All Rights Reserved.“It is very strange, and it’s the talk of the town among us California ichthyologists,” or zoologists who study fish, said Bill Ludt, assistant curator of ichthyology at the Los Angeles County Natural History Museum. 1 at La Jolla Shores and has been added to the Scripps collection.Įxperts say they don't have any theories as to why these deep-sea fish are washing ashore in Southern California, but if anymore are found, people should alert a lifeguard and notify the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at (858) 534-3624 or via email at coastal areas of California are designated as Marine Protected Areas, so taking organisms home is prohibited. Hook said a 4-foot lancetfish washed up on Dec. Pacific footballfish aren't the only deep-sea creatures to wash up in California this year. 13, but scientists weren't notified until several days later and were unable to collect it. Another Pacific footballfish was photographed in San Diego County's Black's Beach on Nov. In May, one washed ashore at Crystal Cove State Park and later became an exhibit at the Los Angeles County Natural History Museum. Hook described the find as "extremely rare," with only 31 known specimens of this deep-sea species collected worldwide – but it's the third footballfish to wash up on California shores this year. "So if you've seen 'Finding Nemo,' this is portrayed in 'Finding Nemo' where Dory sees a very beautiful light, swims to it, it's a giant anglerfish, very scary, they almost get eaten," he said. (credit: Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego) "And so the anglerfish can kind of move this around in front of its head with all these attachments that also have little glowing tips and use them to kind of attract prey into its mouth."Īnd while such fish are usually found at very deep ocean depths, Frable said "Finding Nemo" made anglerfish famous to children and fish aficionados alike. "And it's modified up near the front of their head, and then the tip is this little ball and inside of this is bacteria that produces bioluminescence, that glows," Frable said in a video. Frable said anglerfish get their name for their modified fin spin. He has since X-rayed the fish and collected tissue samples for genetic analysis, and it will be preserved for the institute's scientific archive.
The fish was recovered by Ben Frable, the institute's collection manager of Marine Vertebrates. Lifeguards at Swami's Beach in Encinitas notified scientists about the fish, which was later determined to be nearly 13 inches long and weighing 5.5 pounds.
10, according to Brittany Hook of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego. The creature, one of the largest species of anglerfish, washed ashore on Dec. (credit: Ben Frable/Scripps Institution of Oceanography) LA JOLLA (CBSLA) - A deep-sea Pacific footballfish is now being studied at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography after washing ashore near San Diego earlier this month.
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