After recent storms, California beach finds thousands of 'penis fish' washed ashore

First Published Dec 14, 2019, 1:30 PM IST

Thousands of fat inkeeper fish, also known as 'penis fish', were found washed up on the sands of California beach. These pink creatures, each 10-inch long were found covering the Drakes Bay, along the coast of northern California.

Thousands of fat inkeeper fish, also known as 'penis fish', were found washed up on the sands of California beach. These pink creatures, each 10-inch long were found covering the Drakes Bay, along the coast of northern California.
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On December 6, a man named David Ford captured the image and shared it with the magazine Bay Nature. These organisms are mostly found along the west coast of North America.
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Penis fish live beneath the sands. Intense storms can break the sand and these creatures could be thrown out of their homes, according to experts. There are four species worldwide belonging to the fat innkeeper's family called Urechidae.
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These pink creatures are around 7-inches long and they can grow up to 19. Their homes beneath the sand are 10 to 45 centimetres deep. Particulates get collected on its mucus-made net, which the fish pulsates. They eat by swallowing those.
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They have a sucking organ called proboscis in front of its mouth, and a ring-like structure with bristles near its anus. These 'penis fish' can live long, nearly up to 25 years.
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