Trawler nets rare fangtooth fish

A fish that looks like something out of a horror movie and normally lives in the vicinity of the Falkland Islands, has been caught close to Irish waters.

Luckily the sinister black fish is only four inches long – and is completely harmless as far as humans are concerned.

Even though it possesses fangs on the tongue, as well as the mouth – and can see in the dark – it consumes only minute plankton to ensure survival.

The fangtooth fish was netted from a depth of nearly 4,000 feet by an Irish trawler some 200 miles off of the south-west coast of Ireland.

Usually it can only be found in waters off near the Falklands.

At present, it is a resident of the Dingle Ocean World aquarium in Co Kerry.

The fangs and the location where it was caught have earned the aquatic visitor the name of Dracula.

Fish expert Kevin Flannery said today: “This is the first time I have seen a fangtooth fish, although one was landed in Killybegs, Co Donegal, about a year ago.

“People want to see these rare species and a display helps improve people’s understanding of the deep.”