Diver Finds Rare Deep-Sea Fish Near California Shore

Ted Judah, a longtime diver from California, spotted a rare deep-sea fish swimming in shallow water off McAbee Beach in Monterey Bay on December 30. The fish, a juvenile king-of-the-salmon ribbonfish, appeared healthy and active just 4.6 meters below the surface, far from its usual home thousands of feet deep in the ocean.

Background

Monterey Bay sits along California's central coast, known for its rich marine life and deep canyons that drop far below the surface. The area draws divers, researchers, and tourists who come to see seals, otters, and colorful fish in the kelp forests. But deeper waters hold creatures that rarely come close to shore. The king-of-the-salmon ribbonfish, or Trachipterus altivelis, belongs to a family of slender, ribbon-like fish related to oarfish. Adults can grow as long as a person, with silvery bodies and fins that fan out like a crest.

These fish live in the deep ocean, often below 1,000 meters, where light barely reaches. They feed on small fish and squid in the cold, dark water. Sightings near the surface happen only when storms push them up, or if they are sick or young. The Makah people of the Pacific Northwest named it king-of-the-salmon long ago. They believed it led salmon back to spawning rivers. Today, scientists know little about its life cycle because it stays hidden most of the time.

Judah has dived California's coast since he was a boy. He volunteers for marine conservation and knows the local waters well. On that morning, the water near McAbee Beach looked clearer than usual. Clear water can mean calm conditions or changes in ocean currents. Instead of heading to deeper spots, Judah stayed close to shore to check things out.

Key Details

Judah entered the water around 9 a.m. The visibility let him see far into the shallows. That's when he noticed a thin fish about nine inches long gliding upright through the water. Its body shimmered with delicate fins fluttering along the sides. The fish held a blade-like posture, moving slowly but steadily.

He recognized it might be special right away. Many divers mistake ribbonfish for oarfish at first glance because of the shape. Judah pulled out his GoPro camera to record the moment. He watched for a short time, then left the fish alone to avoid stress. Back on shore, he and his wife shared the video online in diver groups.

The post got quick attention. People commented with guesses about the species. Soon, a marine biologist from the Monterey Bay Aquarium reached out. The expert confirmed it as a juvenile king-of-the-salmon ribbonfish. This marked only the second such sighting in shallow water this year. The Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute has videos of adults at 100 meters deep, but surface encounters remain rare.

Fish Description and Behavior

The fish Judah saw measured roughly 14 centimeters, small for its kind. Its upright swim sets it apart from most fish that glide horizontally. The ribbon-like body tapers to a fine tail. Fins run the length, giving it a feathery look. In the video, it moved with grace, showing no signs of distress.

Deep-sea fish like this often appear after rough weather washes them up dead. A live, healthy one in shallows points to unusual conditions. Judah noted the water felt normal that day, with no recent storms reported.

"There is nothing out there that looks like this animal… a rare moment," said a senior aquarist from the Monterey Bay Aquarium about similar deep-sea finds.

Judah's footage helped settle debates in online groups. Divers and experts praised the clear recording. It gives a fresh look at a species few have seen alive near shore.

What This Means

This sighting raises questions about ocean changes along the California coast. Warmer water has brought unusual marine visitors in recent years. Triggerfish and other tropical species have shown up farther north. Could shifting currents pull deep-sea fish closer to shore? Researchers watch for patterns in these events.

The encounter adds to Monterey Bay's record of rare finds. The area hosts deep research with submarines and remote vehicles. They spot barreleye fish, dragonfish, and jellies that live in the twilight or midnight zones. Yet shore divers like Judah sometimes beat high-tech gear to the discoveries.

Experts use such videos to study behavior and growth. Juveniles near the surface might reveal migration paths or feeding habits. The Aquarium's confirmation helps track populations. With only a handful of records, each sighting fills gaps in knowledge.

For divers, it serves as a reminder of the ocean's surprises. McAbee Beach, part of Cannery Row, stays popular for easy shore access. Clear days like December 30 draw more people in. Judah hopes his story encourages others to report odd finds without disturbing them.

Conservation groups stress leaving wildlife alone. Touching or chasing can harm fragile species. Judah's choice to film and go set a good example. As oceans warm and currents shift, more rare meetings may happen. Scientists prepare to learn from them.

The bay's mix of shallow reefs and deep canyons makes it a hotspot. Over years, teams have logged thousands of dives. They found whalefishes 16 times and giant jellies nine times. A ribbonfish at 4.6 meters stands out even among those.

Judah plans more dives but knows repeats are unlikely. The fish likely swam back to deeper water soon after. Its brief visit left a mark on those who saw the video. In a place full of sea life, the rarest ones still surprise.