The mystery fish washed ashore is identified

Last week, The Bracker and Little Caymanian invited readers to try to identify a strange looking sea creature that washed up on the shores of Cayman Brac two weeks ago, where it was found by local fisherman Layman Scott.

Brac Marine Enforcement Officer Erbin Tibbetts said that, unfortunately, by the time he learned of the fish, it was too decomposed to send to Grand Cayman for exact identification.

However, Croy McCoy, a research scientist at the Department of Environment, told Cayman Net News that, based on the description and photos provided, he believes the fish is a member of the Family Macrouridae (Coryphaenoididae), better known as grenadiers or rattails.

These are found from Arctic to Antarctic, and there are thirty genera, with a total of 260 species. Mr McCoy added that most species are bathypelagic, occur in tropical to sub-tropical latitudes and live at depths between 200-2000 meters.

A selection of responses to the challenge was printed in the forum postings in Cayman Net News last Wednesday, 18 January. As the postings show, quite a few readers correctly identified the creature, demonstrating the superior intelligence of our readers.

There were also a number of spirited guesses, including the previously unheard of GW Bush fish. “Is it possible that it is a mutation or maybe a cross between two species?” asked one reader, while another speculated that it was a deep water eel, adding, “Also, I might add it does resemble my ex’s mother –in-law.”

Two other guesses: a “Vacdicarandicraous”, and a “Vibradicaracondis”, both apparently very old deepwater fish that prefer smaller fish of the same species but, nevertheless, are not considered cannibal.

Shamus, who has apparently gone fishing, said, “Actually, I don’t know what kind of fish this is. But, one thing on which we can all agree, it’s very interesting indeed.

“From the way the eyes are bulged outward from the sockets, the ‘feathery’ fin on the underside, the overall color, and long, slick tail, it can easily be recognized as a deep-sea creature.

“The pressure of say, 1,000 feet or deeper water would easily prevent the eyes from bulging from the sockets as such. The feathery under-fin would be used as a lure for enticing other fish, tricking them into thinking it is a meal.

“While the interested fish saunters closer to the ‘butterfly’-looking lure colorfully floating about in the water, however, our pictured fish remains in stealth mode, unseen. It sits very still and unnoticed as it blends with the surrounding rocks.

“Then, once the lured fish comes within range, our fish pushes off with its eel-like tail… lashing out snatching the lured fish with its shark-like teeth at speeds approaching that of Bruce Lee.

“The inward direction of the rows of teeth is designed to rip into the flesh of its struggling prey rather than allowing it to escape. How do I know all this, you might ask? I used to have a mother in law with the same bad habits. Have a nice day.”

What it most likely is is a new type of angler fish, but with a long tail and no lure, making it more of an active hunter.

Don