A self-amputating, vertically swimming, serpent-like fish has stunned Dunedin locals.
An oarfish was found on Aramoana Beach on Monday afternoon. it is estimated to have been 3.6m long.
The creature was last seen in Dunedin in 2015 - at a size of 3m long.
The species is known to reach lengths of more than 8m and is usually found hanging in a vertical position.
Fisherman Isaac Williams, 32, found the deep-sea fish, and said he has never seen anything like it.