SEA SERPENT

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 333, 21 September 1932, Page 7

SEA SERPENT

RIBBON FISH CAUGHT ! IN GOLDEN BAY. ' Sea serpent stories have probably . been founded on more than one occaj sion on the ribbon fish, a specimen of J which was brought to Wellington from Motueka. The Dominion Mu- ' seum has taken charge of this queer fish, which measures 9 feet G inches | in length and about 6i inches in | thickness, although the species may j attain more than 20 feet in length. i A man was walking on the beach ' near Motueka on Monday evening when he saw a disturbance. in the water and found this ribbon fish almost stranded. The fish was landed, and on account of its rarity arrange- : ments were made to send it to Welj lington. The body is frosted silver ! in colour with deep silver spots and a few black markings near the head. There is a high crest of red fin above the head, a fin along the dorsal length and a pectoral fin. The body tissues of the ribbon fish are constructed to withstand the great pressure of ocean depths. As there are no teeth the food of the fish probably consists of minute crustacea and medusae. Allied species to the ribbon fish are found in temperate ocean depths in various parts of the world. The wharfinger at Motueka, Mr. P. Moffatt, recalled only one other instance of a ribbon fish having been seen at Motueka, the occasion being many years ago.