The Giant OarfishInteresting Facts:The giant oarfish has a number of characteristics that make it unusual. One fact is that it is the longest bony fish alive today – up to 36 feet long (11 meters). A second fact is that because it sometimes floats on the surface of the ocean when sick or dying, it may be the origin of the idea of ​​sea monsters. A third fact is that the entire taxonomic family to which the oarfish belongs includes only four living species. Taxonomic information: The scientific name of the giant oarfish is Regalecus glesne in the family Regalecidae, order Lampriformes, class Actinopterygii, subphylum Vertebrata, phylum Chordata, and kingdom Animalia. Related species include the streamer fish of the genus Agrostichthys. Other names for this fish include Ribbon Fish and King of Herring. Description: Physically, the oarfish is a long, lanky, skinny fish (the aforementioned length of 36 feet) with a dorsal fin that extends the entire length of the fish, just behind the little eye at the end of the tail. An unconfirmed sighting was 56 feet (11 m) long, but ...