James RickardMore strange fish--the opah
March 6th 2008 03:24
Maybe you've never heard of the opah. I know I never did and then I learned that it's also called the "moonfish" and things began to click!
Even though their existence is well documented, not a lot is known about moon fish. Opah are sometimes caught by trawlers as the boats catch other prey. Even though the beauty of this fish can not be denied, it's not something you're going to see every day because it lives from around 150-1300 ft. (50-400 meters) below the water. If that doesn't make location hard enough, another source puts the depth at another 100 meters deeper--that's over 330 feet!
I must have seen a small specimen at the aquarium because the opha can grow to just under five feet (1.5 m.) and weigh well over 150 lbs. (70 kg.)
Even though their existence is well documented, not a lot is known about moon fish. Opah are sometimes caught by trawlers as the boats catch other prey. Even though the beauty of this fish can not be denied, it's not something you're going to see every day because it lives from around 150-1300 ft. (50-400 meters) below the water. If that doesn't make location hard enough, another source puts the depth at another 100 meters deeper--that's over 330 feet!
I must have seen a small specimen at the aquarium because the opha can grow to just under five feet (1.5 m.) and weigh well over 150 lbs. (70 kg.)
A typical opah, or moon fish.
The illustration shows some VERY vivid coloration. Orange areas of its body are not always that bright and the head area can be a lighter shade of orange also.
Although prized when caught and making excellent trophies, moonfish are not usually targeted as a sport fish. That being said, if you desire to seek the solitary beings, squid or other small fish make up their diet and would make a good beginning point when bait is in order.
The range of the opah varies a great deal depending upon the species. They've been netted in the North Sea but can be found in the waters off of Australia, New Zealand, Western USA, or even the Indian Ocean!
Although prized when caught and making excellent trophies, moonfish are not usually targeted as a sport fish. That being said, if you desire to seek the solitary beings, squid or other small fish make up their diet and would make a good beginning point when bait is in order.
The range of the opah varies a great deal depending upon the species. They've been netted in the North Sea but can be found in the waters off of Australia, New Zealand, Western USA, or even the Indian Ocean!
It stands to reason that something this big would end up on someone's dinner table. The opah is one of those rare animals that are comprised of four different types of flesh with the meat being highly sought after in the Hawaiian Islands.
Until next time--watch yourself and watch your line!
*image from state.hi.us
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Thanks. It amazed me as I read about this thing and found out that I had actually seen one. I must have seen a young one because it wasn't even a meter!
Comment by James Rickard
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That's a pretty one in the picture and they must have done some side lighting to get the body to look like that! Sometimes the orange is pretty splotchy! All I know is that it's on my list of food to sample.