VietNamNet Bridge – Two people in the central province of Nghe An unexpectedly discovered a giant oarfish floating on the water on April 13th. They immediately pulled the fish onshore. The fish was 3.6 m long, weighing about 25 kg.

The two lucky men were Pham Xuan Chien and Nguyen Ngoc Duy, residents of Quynh Phuong Ward, Hoang Mai Town, Nghe An, who saw the giant fish while walking along the coast for fresh air in late afternoon on April 13.

The fish was still alive when it was taken to the shore.

Hundreds of people flocked to the coast to see the odd fish. The elderly fishermen said this fish was commonly known as “ho rong” (dragon fish) because the fish has two red beards on the head, which look like dragon beards.

Locals said this was the first time they had seen the giant oarfish drifted ashore.

"I informed the local authorities of the odd fish but they did not show.  If the authorities do not have a plan for the fish, I'll butcher or bury it," said Duy.

The giant oarfish (Regalecus glesne) is a species of oarfish of the family Regalecidae. It is an oceanodromous species with a worldwide distribution, excluding polar regions. Other common names include Pacific oarfish, king of herrings, ribbonfish, and streamer fish.

R. glesne is the world's longest bony fish. Its shape is ribbon-like, narrow laterally, with a dorsal fin along its entire length, stubby pectoral fins, and long, oar-shaped pelvic fins, from which its common name is derived.

Its coloration is silver with dark markings, and its fins are red. Its physical characteristics and its undulating mode of swimming have led to speculation that it might be the source of many "sea serpent" sightings.

According to the Japanese, if many giant oarfish appear, it is likely there will be an earthquake.

Thu Ly