One of a kind! An armored deep sea fish? Churaumi Aquarium displays the rare oni armored searobin for the first time ever
The oni armored searobin is characterized by its armor-like scales (photograph provided by the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium)
December 17, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo
Motobu – The Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium has for the first time in the world put the exceedingly rare deep-sea oni armored searobin on display.
As the name suggests, armored searobins are characterized by scales that look like a suit of armor, however the oni has a bone on its head that extends into the shape of a saw, something almost unheard of in the animal kingdom.
The oni armored searobin lives in the shores and oceans of the Pacific.
According to the aquarium, remains have been collected by trawlers previously, however finding one that is still alive is incredibly uncommon.
In October, an unmanned submersible doing a survey at a depth of 350 meters, about 20 kilometers off the coast of Motobu, discovered one of these fish alive and was able to capture it.
It measures 25 centimeters in length, and moves using a basic pectoral fin to slowly walk across the ocean floor.
The fish is on display in the “Deep Sea Voyage” corner in the aquarium. Atsushi Kaneko, 43, who is in charge of the exhibit, said “I want people to know that this strange fish lives in the depths of Okinawa’s sea.”
(English translation by T&CT and Sam Grieb)
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