The lancetfish lives in all oceans across the globe

May 17, 2014 12:09 GMT  ·  By

A deep-sea fish which is rarely seen near shore washed up alive on a Nags Head, North Carolina beach, on Monday evening. The lancetfish, an open-ocean fish, was found on a beach south of Jennette’s Pier, Yahoo News informs.

The lancetfish is a mysterious species which lives in all oceans across the globe, except the polar seas. It has a long slender body that can grow up to 6 feet/1.82 meters in length, with large eyes, mouth and a long, high dorsal fin. It has no scales, and the fins are exceedingly fragile.

Little is known about this species of large oceanic predatory fish, but oceanographers say they eat planktonic crustaceans, squid, and salps, as well as other fish, and their jaws contain several long fang-like teeth as well as several smaller teeth.

North Carolina Aquarium worker Daryl Law has confirmed that the fish was released after being photographed. Given that it is unusual for the species to come so close to land, wildlife officials have speculated that it might be unwell.

Lancetfish have been seen as far north as Greenland and are often caught by tuna fishermen. However, they are seen as pests, as they take bait intended for more valuable species.