Deep-sea creature — a new species with eye-catching snout — discovered near Madagascar

Off the coast of Madagascar, in the depths of the Indian Ocean, scientists recently discovered a new species — and it looks like something out of a nightmare.

Coelorinchus zinjianus, a type of fish, is characterized by its “long and pointed, diamond-shaped” snout and is smaller than other similar species, according to a study published June 8 in Zootaxa. Photos of the creature show its snout extended over its mouth, which is located on the underside of its head.

Researchers described the fish as having a “large mouth with thick lips” and large teeth. Its lips and mouth are pale, while its scaley body is decorated with dark, transverse bands.

Above the fish’s mouth sits large, dark eyes, photos of the creature show.

Despite their jarring appearance, the fish are only about 8-inches long, but they can grow to be up to nearly 13 inches, according to the study.

Scientists determined that the Coelorinchus zinjianus shares commonalities withsimilar fish species, including with C. flabellispinis, C. quadricristatus and C. trunovi.

All of the creatures have elongated and diamond-shaped snouts, large mouths that extend beyond their eyes, scaley exteriors and large teeth, according to the study.

Madagascar is an island in the western Indian Ocean, near the eastern coast of Mozambique.

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