LiveScience reports that a rare, cannibalistic lancetfish washed up alive on a beach in Nags Head, North Carolina, last week. The fish are famous for their big fangs, tall dorsal fin and their gruesome habit of consuming their own species.

The Gulf of Maine Research Institute says that the lancetfish, also known as the handsawfish, is widely distributed in the deep waters of the Atlantic. Other than a fondness for cannibalism, very little is known about the fanged fish’s habits.

Based on the cast of a lancetfish in the collection of the Boston Society of Natural History, scientists believe that these rare fish grow to a maximum of approximately six feet.

The above photo, which was posted on the website for Jennette’s Pier, contained the following description:

“This unusual creature, a lancetfish, was found in the surf just south of Jennette’s Pier Monday night. Biologists say they rarely come close to shore as they’re more of an open ocean or pelagic fish. The lancetfish was found and released alive. Although not pictured, the fish had a large dorsal fin much like a billfish.”

According to The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, the lancetfish falls into the “Least Concern” category (the list ranges from “Not Evaluated” to “Extinct”). The organization notes that this species is frequently taken as by-catch by the longline tuna fisheries. Due to the fact that it resides at great depths and is not considered to be favorable food fish, the harvesting of this species is not considered a significant threat.