A massive and rare hoodwinker sunfish, believed to be the largest ever recorded, has captivated beachgoers on Oregon's northern coast. This astonishing creature, usually found in temperate waters in the southern hemisphere, made an unexpected appearance on Gearhart Beach earlier this week.

The Seaside Aquarium, in a media release, revealed that the enormous hoodwinker sunfish, measuring an impressive 7.3 feet (2.2 meters) in length, caught the attention of curious onlookers. Unlike other species of sunfish, this particular hoodwinker is larger and boasts a sleeker physique. Its weight can reach up to a staggering 2,000 kilograms, with the ability to grow rapidly, gaining an astonishing 800 pounds in just 15 months.

Even more remarkable is the hoodwinker sunfish's extended stay on the beach. As the creature has a tough skin, scavengers find it challenging to penetrate, allowing it to remain on the shore for weeks. Photographs taken by the aquarium show the flat, round, and gray fish lying on its side in the sand, with accompanying images highlighting its massive size, as a person kneels beside it and a pickup truck parked nearby.

The peculiar sight sparked widespread interest on social media platforms, eventually reaching a New Zealand-based researcher who specializes in sunfish. Marianne Nyegaard, upon studying the photographs, confirmed that the mysterious fish was indeed a hoodwinker sunfish. Nyegaard, known for her groundbreaking work on the species, believes this specimen may be the largest ever sampled.

In a research publication from 2017, Nyegaard unveiled the discovery that the hoodwinker sunfish, scientifically known as Mola tecta, stands apart from the more common ocean sunfish, Mola mola, through genetic sampling and observation. "Tecta" in Latin signifies hidden or disguised, alluding to this newfound species that had remained unnoticed until now.

Interestingly, while the hoodwinker sunfish has previously washed ashore along the California coast, it has also recently been sighted in both California and Alaska, challenging the belief that it solely resides in the southern hemisphere. The aquarium suggests that there may have been instances when the fish washed ashore in other parts of the Pacific Northwest but was mistakenly identified as the more common ocean sunfish.

Beachgoers and marine enthusiasts have flocked to Gearhart Beach to witness this remarkable encounter with the massive hoodwinker sunfish. Its presence serves as a reminder of the hidden wonders that lie beneath the ocean's surface, sparking fascination and raising questions about the mysteries that still surround the depths of our planet's waters.