Photo: CHRISTOPHE ARCHAMBAULT / AFP / Getty Images
A strange and certainly monstrous fish that normally inhabits the depths of the sea was found a few days ago on a southern California beach , causing interest from scholars of marine fauna and the general public.
The Fanfin or Angler type fish dark color and with an antenna that looks like tentacle, appeared over Crystal Cove beach in Newport Beach and was notified by a man who happened to be walking by.
RARE FIND! Deep sea anglerfish washed up in Newport Beach on Friday morning! On Crystal Cove beach @ CrystalCoveSP staff were alerted by beach visitor Ben Eslef and were able to retrieve this intact specimen .. pic.twitter.com/vERGy5Zujt
– Davey’s Locker (@DaveysLocker 400 ) May 9, 2021
The fish, considered to be from the caulofrínidae family, has been called by some as the “Pacific Football” type because it is shaped like an American football. Angler fish inhabit depths even greater than 3, 000 feet.
The creature on the beach is female, since the male fish are much smaller.
What has attracted the most attention is that the fish has appeared practically intact after being dragged by the current to a beach of Newport Beach .
Fish of this type, like monkfish which are similar in appearance, have prominent teeth, as well as an antenna that emits light and that it serves to attract its prey in the depths. They are considered ambush fish.