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New Fish for Seaside Aquarium

(Seaside, Oregon) – The legendary Oregon coast landmark, Seaside Aquarium, has snagged itself another interesting gem in the form of a new, somewhat rare species occupying one of its tanks.

A local fisherman who works out of Garibaldi accidentally caught a prowfish – a large, dark colored fish with spots, known in scientific circles as Zaprora silenus.

Seaside Aquarium’s Tiffany Boothe said the creature generally lives in the midlevels of the sea, somewhere between 900 and 2000 feet. This makes this find slightly unusual, as it means the fish was lingering a little higher than normal in the water, leaving itself open to being caught by crabbing pots.

This is the same layer of ocean occupied by their usual prey: jellyfish.

“They have been observed hiding in the bells of jellyfish if threatened or approached by a predator,” said Booth. “The white or blue fringes on their head are sensory pores which help them perceive their surroundings.”

Prowfish are not usually found in captivity, said Boothe.

Boothe said the prowfish is obviously a hardy one, as it was outside the water for about 20 minutes and yet still lived. “We aren't sure if he will be able to survive,” Boothe said. “He took quite a beating while in the crab pot.”

Boothe said the prowfish is visibly ill and not feeding. She added not much is known about the prowfish, so the staff is not sure how to take care of it. The aquarium had offered it to other aquariums around the northwest, but they were unable to accommodate it.

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