OCEANSIDE, Calif., Oct. 19 (UPI) -- A snorkeler discovered a 14-foot oarfish just off a Southern California beach, the second carcass of the little-known fish in a week.

The find was made Friday in Oceanside near San Diego, the Los Angeles Times reported. The first oarfish was found Oct. 13 near Catalina Island.


Oceanside police alerted the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Scripps Research Institution. NOAA took charge of the carcass, removing it for study.

The oarfish has an elongated body and the giant oarfish -- one of four related species -- can grow to be more than 50 feet long. Sightings of the fish are generally believed to have given rise to sea serpent legends.

While the fish appears to have a wide distribution, sightings of live oarfish are rare.