It’s not every day you walk the beach and find one of the strangest fish in the ocean resting on the sand. But this is exactly what happened to a tourist who was walking along the beach of Newport Beach in California. As he approached a strange body that he glimpsed in the sand, he realized that it was a huge black fish, specifically, it was the balloon fish, an inhabitant of the deep sea that is well known for its representation in the film. Disney’s «Finding Nemo.»
Image: Ben Estes
Although the tourist’s discovery was a few months ago, the image of the fish is still a great discovery that travels the networks. The himantolophus or balloon fish is not something common to see since they usually live near 914 meters below sea level.
What is known about the balloon fish?
Due to its incredible life in the darkest depths of the ocean, few experts have been able to access this species to analyze its behavior. In fact, the discovery of this tourist allowed scientists to collect the lifeless body for further study.
However, information on the balloon fish is still very limited. So far it is known that it is part of the Himantolophidae family and that it is usually found in the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian oceans.
Image: Ben Estes
Likewise, its distinctive feature is that small formation on its body that simulates a lamp or a fishing rod, which helps it to hunt its food. Through the light it produces in that extension of its body, the balloon fish can make a bioluminescent call that attracts its prey (just like in the Disney movie).
But far from its peculiar and very curious way of getting food, the balloon fish has a look worthy of the dark. With a round body, which for males measures about 39 centimeters and for females about 46 centimeters, the fish shows off its deep black coloration.
A warning from the depths
For now it is not known exactly how this balloon fish reached the surface, but there is a theory about the appearance of strange fish on the surface. It is believed that deep-sea fish can make unusual appearances due to land movements in the deep sea.
RARE FIND! Deep sea anglerfish washed up in Newport Beach on Friday morning! On Crystal Cove beach @CrystalCoveSP staff were alerted by beach visitor Ben Eslef and were able to retrieve this intact specimen.. pic.twitter.com/vERGy5Zujt— Davey’s Locker (@DaveysLocker400) May 9, 2021
For example, slight earthquakes in the ocean, tidal waves or even eruptions that slightly alter the marine routine. Driven by these movements, the currents can be altered and change the course of these species.
This theory has not been 100% proven, but at least with the appearance of this balloon fish two small earthquakes coincided off the coast of the United States. This would put its possible appearance in context.
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