It's late, and I don't feel good. So, I'm cheating a little on Fish o' the Day by using a couple of videos. But here it is, Mitsukurina owstoni. The goblin shark is a deepwater species, found typically at depths of about 250 m. Although they're best known from the Pacific near Japan, they're apparently cosmopolitan. They even make it into the Gulf - one was captured by a commercial trawler about 100 miles south of Pascagoula. This one, from a depth of about 1000 m, was estimated to be between 5 and 6 meters in length, considerably larger than the norm.Take a look at this video from an aquarium specimen. Check out the strongly heterocercal caudal fin.
A typical size for a goblin is about 10 feet, and they can weigh over 300 pounds. Their most intriguing feature, of course, is the protrusible jaw beneath the distinctive rostrum. They use it to feed on a wide range of prey, including fish, cephalopods, and crustaceans.
Our boy has quite the cult following on the net, too. I don't guess that's too surprising.
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