King Of Herrings

Regalecus glesne

• Group: Other
• Typical depth: 20–1000 m
• Max size: 8 m
• For divers: safe
• IUCN status: LC

This is the longest bony fish in the sea, a silvery ribbon that can stretch to eight metres and ends in a crimson crest, the likely source of old sea serpent tales. It drifts in the open ocean, often head up in the water column, and can live at great depth. Big ones sometimes strand themselves on beaches, which is where people usually meet them.

Taxonomy: Animalia › Chordata › Teleostei › Lampriformes › Regalecidae › Regalecus

Species data via the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS), AphiaID 126525.