Giant 'cannibal fish' washes up on Oregon shore, stuns locals
One might think this is a scene from a horror movie. A rare fish was found on a beach in Oregon, USA. Measuring nearly 7 feet in length, it possesses a large mouth with sharp teeth. Scientists identified it as a sunfish, the "cannibal fish."
An unusual fish was discovered on the beach in Oregon. It is a sunfish, also known as the "cannibal fish." It lives in the depths of the Pacific, hunting various invertebrates as well as its own species.
The fish was found on April 22. This unusual find was reported to the staff at the Seaside Aquarium.
As seen in the photos shared on social media, this fish was hard to miss. It measures nearly 7 feet in length and captures attention with its unusual appearance, particularly its large, sharp teeth.
They showed what the "cannibal fish" ate
Specialists from the Seaside Aquarium quickly recognized that they were dealing with one of the most voracious creatures on Earth. Sunfish consume over 90 different marine species, including each other. They become cannibals only when they reach a certain body length.
The contents of their stomachs often include whole fish and squids. Scientists shared their observations on Facebook, showing photos of the sunfish's recent meals.
Sunfish inhabit the eastern and western Pacific. They are hermaphrodites, possessing both male and female reproductive organs. They live deep underwater, even at depths of 1.1 miles. Therefore, it's no wonder that the sight of this marine creature on the beach caused quite a sensation.
The same occurred a few years ago when beachgoers discovered a fish on one of the beaches in California. It was slightly smaller than the one found in Oregon.
It is unclear why deep-sea fish appear near the shore. They may approach while chasing their prey.
