Uncommon 7-foot deceptive sunfish found on Oregon seashore
A huge, odd-looking fish resembling a bloated silver dollar was discovered washed ashore on Gearhart Beach in northwestern Oregon on June 3. The unusual aquatic species, believed to inhabit the temperate waters of the Southern Hemisphere, was first spotted by curious onlookers, who flocked to the beach to catch a glimpse of it.
Social media posts drew attention to the fascinating fish, leading to a greater number of people visiting the beach to see it with their own eyes.
In pictures shared by Seaside Aquarium, the fish seems to rest on its side in the sand with its mouth wide open. However, it was initially thought that the fish was only native to the South, as there were only a few instances of it being found in the North. For instance, a few have been spotted in California and one even reached Alaska.
However, this theory was called into question as evidenced by the specimen found in Oregon.
Mariann Nyegaard, a researcher based in New Zealand, identified the mysterious fish as the hoodwinker sunfish, or Mola tecta, based on the images. In fact, she had previously discovered the unique species and described it in a 2017 published paper.
The aquarium confirmed that the fish was not the common sunfish, or Mola mola, and instead belonged to the less common hoodwinker sunfish species. Nyegaard contacted the aquarium, asking for genetic samples of the fish, which led to additional photos and measurements being taken. Upon analysis, it was revealed that this specimen could potentially be the largest one ever sampled.
The sea creature still remains on the beach as of Saturday, according to the aquarium.
It will likely stay put for a few more days, if not weeks, the aquarium reported. The tough skin of the creature makes it difficult for scavengers to puncture, ensuring its longevity on the shore.
CNN's Ashley R. Williams contributed to this report.
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People from around the US are excitedly sharing news about the unusual sunfish discovered on Gearhart Beach in Oregon. Despite its temperate Southern Hemisphere origins, this hoodwinker sunfish specimen has now been found multiple times in the Northern Hemisphere, including in California and even Alaska, suggesting a broader range for this less common species.
