The video will start in 8 Cancel

News, views and top stories in your inbox. Don't miss our must-read newsletter Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

A group of fishermen thought they had caught a mysterious 16 foot (5 metre) long sea serpent - but it was really just a giant fish.

Footage shows the fishermen's excitement when they think they've caught an unusual sea creature.

However, it was actually a giant female oarfish (Regalecus glesne) and weighed 330 lbs (150kg).

The stunning fish was pulled out of the Pacific Ocean off the northern Chilean coast near the resort of Iquique.

Initially, the baffled men reportedly thought it was a sea monster, but it was later confirmed to be a great oarfish.

(Image: CEN) (Image: CEN/Caleta Cavancha)

In the clip, the unusual creature is seen sprawled across the boat's deck.

One man says "holy sh*t, man! I am filming it" as the excited fishermen discuss what to do with the large creature.

The coordinator of the Caleta Cavancha fishery, Rodrigo Olivo, said that they gave the fish to Miguel Araya of the Arturo Prat University in Iquique.

Araya told local media: "It was a female great oarfish, also known as the king of herrings.

"Its stomach was found with krill remains.

"They usually live in deep waters, but are known to come into shallow waters when they are ill or about to die."

(Image: CEN/Caleta Cavancha)

(Image: CEN/Caleta Cavancha) (Image: CEN)

The great oarfish is the world's longest bony fish.

The largest oarfish on record had a length of 11 metres (36 feet) while the heaviest weighed 270 kilogrammes (595 lbs).

They have distinctive red fins and their undulating swimming method has led to speculation that it might be the source of many 'sea serpent' sightings in the past.