California diver documents lacy ribbonfish near Monterey Bay

A diver at McAbee Beach in late December photographed a juvenile king-of-the-salmon, identified by marine biologists. The Monterey Bay research community says such surface sightings are rare and has reported that warming ocean temperatures may be influencing species ranges, though a definitive cause is undetermined.

A diver in Monterey County encountered a delicate, ribbon-like fish near the surface while diving off McAbee Beach in late December. The diver, Ted Judah, photographed the animal and posted images to a local dive group. Marine biologists and an ichthyologist identified the creature as a juvenile king-of-the-salmon (Trachipterus altivelis). The species is normally found at depths hundreds of feet below the surface. Key details: - The sighting was reported by diver Ted Judah and shared on the Monterey County Dive Reports group. - A Monterey Bay Aquarium biologist shared the images with an ichthyologist who identified the specimen as a juvenile king-of-the-salmon (Trachipterus altivelis). - The Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) has logged 16 sightings of king-of-the-salmon and six sightings of related ribbonfish over nearly four decades, with the most recent prior sighting in 2021. - Scientists note the species usually lives far below the surface and is typically observed with submersibles or remotely operated vehicles. - Researchers said the fish may have been near the surface after nighttime feeding, and they reported that warming ocean waters — which hold less oxygen — can push warm-water species into historically cooler areas; MBARI said a definitive cause has not been established. Summary: The sighting adds to a small number of records for this species and underscores how rarely these ribbonfish are observed near the surface. Scientists have proposed feeding behavior or warming-driven range shifts as possible explanations, but a definitive explanation is Undetermined at this time.