Second oarfish found in California

The 14-foot monster is the second to wash up in a week

Another huge oarfish has washed up on a Southern California beach, the second of the giant sea monsters to do in a week.

The rare fish, which would usually live thousands of feet under the sea, beached on Friday afternoon in Oceanside, on the Pacific coast, between Los Angeles and San Diego

The San Diego Union-Tribune reported that it measured nearly 14 feet and attracted a crowd of up to 75 people.

Oceanside police officer Mark Bussey told the newspaper that beachgoers called them at 5pm on Friday, and that one caller said he thought it was a whale.

A representative from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration retrieved the carcass, which was cut into sections for later study.

Last week, an 18-foot oarfish was spotted by marine scientist Jasmine Santana as she was snorkeling off the coast of Southern California.

She saw the fish shimmering in the water and after swimming around several times to check it was dead, decided to drag it to shore. She managed on her own for about 75 feet before others waded in to help her.

After being studied at Catalina Marine Institute it will be left on the sand for creatures to eat as it decomposes then its skeleton will be put on display.

Video: First oarfish discovered earlier this month