CRYPTOLINK: Rare Deep-Sea Oarfish Washes Ashore In New Zealand

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An elusive oarfish was found beached in New Zealand. Oarfish, which can grow up to 36 feet in length, are thought to have been inspiration for tales of sea monsters.
(Photo : J Aaron Farr | Flickr)

A bizarre 10-foot oarfish was discovered in the salt marsh at Aramoana Spit in Dunedin, New Zealand. Don Gibbs, a local resident, found the long blade-like creature lying on a beach and immediately called the Department of Conservation (DOC).

DOC service manager David Agnew arrived in a rush to examine the specimen on the shore, which he was unable to identify. Never in his 8-year stay in Dunedin or his 20-year tenure with the DOC had he seen something like this.

''It must have just washed up and it was very fresh. It's a very weird looking creature," Agnew said. "Instead of scales it has this smooth skin, like tinfoil, and if you rubbed it the silver would come onto your hand.'' He took some pictures and sent them to University of Otago.

Tessa Mills, manager at New Zealand Marine Studies Center and Aquarium in University of Otago was able to confirm its identity as an oarfish — a surprising find for a cold-water area.

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