The discovery of the exceptionally rare specias, made by beachgoer Jordan Coronel at South Ponto State Beach in Carlsbad on February 12, has drawn the attention of marine researchers at Scripps Institution of Oceanography. The Pacific footballfish is rarely seen by humans due to the vast depths it resides. This particular specimen, measuring about 10.5 inches in length, is smaller than a similar specimen found in 2021. The fish was missing most of its tail but was otherwise well-preserved when it was collected by graduate students from Scripps' Arcila-Betancur Lab.
While sightings of footballfish are extremely rare, this marks at least the third instance of one appearing on California beaches in recent years. Similar finds were reported at Black's Beach and Newport Beach's Crystal Cove State Park, as well as an unprecedented sighting in Oregon in 2024.
According to Ben Frable, manager of Scripps' Marine Vertebrate Collection, only about 30 specimens of Pacific footballfish have ever been collected worldwide since the species was first identified in 1975, making each one a valuable research opportunity. Scientists are still unsure why these deep-sea creatures are appearing on shore more frequently but speculate it could be due to environmental changes or natural aspects of their life cycle.
The preserved footballfish will contribute to ongoing research on the evolutionary adaptations of deep-sea anglerfish. Frable emphasized that each specimen offers crucial insights into the species’ genomic structure and survival mechanisms in extreme environments.
Beachgoers who come across unusual marine life are encouraged to report their findings to lifeguards or contact Scripps Institution of Oceanography directly.
For more details on this rare discovery, visit .
Originally published on February 14, 2025.
