Rarely seen deep sea fish found alive on shore, released after pictures

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A Lancetfish was found Monday in Nags Head on a beach south of Jennette’s Pier. (Photographer: Leif Rasmussen via Daryl Law)
A Lancetfish was found Monday in Nags Head on a beach south of Jennette’s Pier. (Photographer: Leif Rasmussen via Daryl Law)

NAGS HEAD, N.C. – What would you do if you saw this guy swimming beside you?

Photographer: Leif Rasmussen via Daryl Law
Photographer: Leif Rasmussen via Daryl Law

This toothy terror is a rarely seen deep sea creature that goes by the name Lancetfish.

It was found in Nags Head, North Carolina, Monday.

Lancetfish have large mouths filled sharp teeth and almost never come to shore.

According to WGHP, not much is known about the creature that can grow to over six feet in length.

They are in almost all oceans except the polar seas.

Officials with Jennette’s Pier where the fish was found said the creature was alive when it washed up.

Daryl Law, who works at the North Carolina Aquarium, said the fish was released after being photographed.

Aquarium officials said Lancetfishes have been seen as far north as Greenland and are often caught by vessels long-lining for tuna.

MORE: See the full story from WGHP here

A November 2006 photo of a Lancetfish (Credit: NOAA)
A November 2006 photo of a Lancetfish (Credit: NOAA)

 

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