- Source: Mirapinna
Mirapinna esau, the hairyfish, is a species of fish in the family Cetomimidae only known from the Atlantic Ocean near the Azores. Formerly considered a member of the no-longer-recognized family Mirapinnidae, this species is the only known member of the genus Mirapinna.
Description
Mirapinna esau grows to a length of 5.5 centimetres (2.2 in) total length (TL). Little is known of the fish beyond its appearance. Wheeler (1977) states that only one specimen was caught, near the sea surface, and that it was a copepod feeder. The original specimen was captured north of the Azores at 47°20'North, 22°30'West.
Etymology
The generic name is from the Latin mirus (wonderful) and pinna (thorn), for the unusual fins possessed by this fish.
The specific name is from the Biblical figure Esau, who is stated to be a hairy man (Genesis 27:11).
