Ribbonfish

An interesting “ribbon” fish has made its way to an aquarium, after being reeled in accidentally by fisherman.

The fish was identified as a red bandfish by officials at the aquarium.

The fish, found on the south coast, has been donated to the Blue Reef Aquarium in Portsmouth, Hampshire.

However, this fish, which can grow to a length of 32 inches, can be reeled in as far south as Senegal on the west coast of Africa, and in the Mediterranean.

Lindsay Holloway, of the Blue Reef, commented: “They’re extraordinary-looking fish that definitely seem to be more at home in the Mediterranean than around our shores.”

“No one is sure how many there are living in the Channel as they are normally very shy and reclusive fish who spend the majority of their lives inside their burrows.”

Red Bandfish

“One reason that this individual was caught may be as a result of the recent stormy weather, which can result in their burrows being destroyed.”

“As a result, dead specimens are sometimes washed up on to the strandline after rough seas.”

Living up to its name, the fish is usually red, with orange and yellow highlights, making it look like a ribbon. It also sports silver colored eyes, and very tiny, but razor sharp, teeth.

Like many other tropical garden eels, the red bandfish are believed to spend most of their days hidden from view, in their tiny caves located on the seabed some 1,300 feet deep, and only emerge at night.