Oarfish are among the longest fish on Earth, and the giant oarfish is considered the longest living bony fish ever recorded.

How big are oarfish? (Quick Scoop)

  • Typical size: Most oarfish that people actually see are around 3–4 meters long (about 10–13 feet).
  • Very large adults: Many reliable records put giant oarfish around 7–8 meters (23–26 feet).
  • Extreme maximum: Some documented specimens and references mention individuals up to about 9–11 meters (30–36 feet), though the very largest claims are debated.
  • Weight: Large oarfish can weigh up to roughly 270–300 kg (about 600–660 pounds).

In other words, an oarfish can be as long as a city bus, but most are closer to the length of a small car when encountered.

Why they feel so “sea monster” big

  • Oarfish are incredibly long and very thin, like a silvery ribbon that just keeps going.
  • Their bright dorsal fin runs the entire length of the body, so when one nears the surface it looks like a red-crested serpent gliding upright in the water.
  • Because they live deep in the ocean and only rarely wash ashore or get filmed, each sighting gets a lot of attention online and in the news.

Imagine snorkeling and suddenly seeing a silvery ribbon several meters long drifting past you; even a “small” 3-meter oarfish would feel enormous up close.

A few extra quick facts

  • Species: The “giant oarfish” (Regalecus glesne) is the one usually talked about when people ask how big they get.
  • Record holder: It holds the record as the longest known bony fish species.
  • Other relatives: A smaller relative, the streamer fish, reaches around 3 meters (about 10 feet).

So if you’re wondering “how big are oarfish,” the simple answer is: usually around 3–4 meters, commonly up to 7–8 meters, and in rare, record-breaking cases possibly over 9–10 meters long.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.