Beachgoers discovered a 4-foot lancetfish washed up on a San Diego beach Tuesday. Although not particularly rare, researchers noted it was the first lancetfish preserved by science since 1996. These creatures sometimes feed on other fish and invertebrates.
The finding comes just a week after a Pacific footballfish -- a deep-sea anglerfish much rarer than the lancetfish -- washed up about three miles away on Black's Beach.The fish, whose catalog name is SIO 21-37, is the newest addition to the SIO's Vertebrate Collection. Manager Ben Frable told CNN the fish was found at La Jolla Shores alive but didn't survive once on land. It had been"bombarded by seagulls," according to Frable.
Lancetfish, which are hermaphrodites, animals with both reproductive organs, are notorious cannibals which also feed on other fish and invertebrates. The fish can grow to more than 7 feet long and barely digest their food.Read MoreBut Frable confirms cannibalism is not as taboo in the fish world as it seems. "So they have a pretty varied diet, but other lancetfish do seem to be pretty popular.