Why Does This Cannibalistic Fish Keep Washing Ashore?

A dog-walker on Baylys Beach in New Zealand’s North Island had an astonishing encounter when he stumbled upon a seemingly lifeless ocean predator. Con Fowler, 66, initially mistook the creature for a barracuda, a common sight in the area. However, upon closer inspection, he realized it was larger and had significantly bigger teeth.

The silvery-colored creature lay motionless on the beach, making Con believe it was dead. He couldn’t help but be amazed by its impressive set of teeth. Curiosity got the better of him, and he approached it to take a few pictures. To his shock, the predator’s gill plate began pulsing, indicating signs of life. When Con touched it, the creature snapped at him, revealing its formidable bite.

As it turned out, the creature was a lancetfish, a deep-sea predator rarely seen near shorelines despite inhabiting oceans worldwide. Lancet fish are known to be ferocious hunters, and their stomachs have been found to contain various types of fish, octopods, squid, and crabs. They are even known to cannibalize their own species, earning them the nickname “cannibal fish.”

The retiree couldn’t explain how the deep-sea fish ended up on the beach but speculated that it might have been enticed by fishing bait. He observed people in a 4×4 vehicle pulling in a longline, which extends up to 2 kilometers into the sea. It’s possible that the lancetfish followed the bait and got washed up in the heavy surf.

Despite the potential danger of being bitten, Mr. Fowler decided to help the sea creature return to its natural habitat. Once he placed it back in the water, the lancetfish unfurled its large, iridescent bluish dorsal fin and swam away.

The biology of lancet fish remains mostly enigmatic, as their reproductive habits have never been observed. They are hermaphroditic, possessing both male and female sex organs, and can grow over six feet long. Many fisheries consider them pests that snatch bait intended for more valuable species.

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