Rare Deep-Sea Fish Analyzed After Washing Up on California Beach

A rare Pacific footballfish, a deep-sea anglerfish usually found at ocean depths of more than 2,000 feet, was analyzed in San Diego, California on December 14, after washing ashore a nearby beach.

This footage from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego shows Collection Manager of Marine Vertebrates Ben Frable analyzing the rare species, which found household recognition after the fish made an appearance in blockbuster film Finding Nemo.

The fish washed ashore at Swami’s Beach in Encinitas on December 10 and was found by lifeguards, who reported the fish to scientists at the institution, according to CBS Los Angeles.

Though an extremely rare find, a Pacific football fish last found its way to Californian shores on November 13.

The Pacific footballfish species live at depths between 2,000 to 3,300 feet, where sunlight doesn’t penetrate, according to the California Academy of Sciences. The fish use a fleshy, bioluminescent lure from their heads to attract prey. Credit: Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego via Storyful