Scientists in Australia have discovered a mysterious “faceless fish” that has not been seen for more than a century during a deep sea expedition off the east coast which reached depths of 13,000 feet.

The researchers believe the 16-inch fish is the same type as a specimen caught during a scientific expedition by a British vessel in the Coral Sea, far to the north, in the 1870s. The mouth of the fish is tucked underneath its head, so that it appears to have no face when seen from the side.

"It is this fish with nostrils and a mouth and no face,” Di Bray, from Museums Victoria, told ABC News. "Apparently, it's got eyes way under the surface but really you can't see any eyes."

The fish was found near Jervis Bay, south of Sydney, by researchers aboard a ship which belongs to the CSIRO, the national science agency.