14 DAY TRIAL // A giant oarfish, or ribbonfish, the likes of which the locals have never witnessed, was washed ashore on Hacienda Beach, in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.
The fish was spotted at around 10:15 on Friday, near the shore, and appeared to be struggling for air, Huffington Post reports.
Locals couldn't identify the large, silver colored fish, with a bright orange dorsal fin, right away.
These deep water creatures live at depths between 700 and 3,000 feet (200-900 meters) and are rarely seen so close to a beach. The fish can reach 55 feet (17 meters) and weigh up to 600 pounds (270 kg). They live in temperate and tropical waters.
The ribbonfish was taken ashore by beachgoers but soon perished, and was thrown back into the open ocean, as the area is a “Protected Natural Area.”