A bizarre marine creature that washed ashore in Laguna Niguel on Saturday has left beachgoers baffled and sparked a viral frenzy online. While it may look like something from a horror movie, state wildlife officials believe this unsightly specimen is just a common fish—specifically, a moray eel.

The unusual sighting prompted immediate attention, with Tim Daly, a spokesperson for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, confirming that what appears to be a moray eel is frequently found along the Southern California coast. “This one seems a bit bleached out from being deceased,” Daly noted, explaining the creature’s pale appearance.

The original poster on Reddit, who shared a photo of the eerie find, remarked, “It’s giving me nightmares.” Other commenters chimed in, likening the creature to an alien or even a plesiosaur, the legendary marine reptile that swam the oceans millions of years ago.

Though moray eels are generally not aggressive, they can become quite vicious if provoked. Britannica explains that these eels possess two sets of jaws with backward-facing teeth, which makes it hard for their prey to escape once caught. Interestingly, moray eels also have a surprising place in history, particularly in ancient Rome, where they were once considered a delicacy.

The Muraena helena, or Mediterranean moray, was prized and harvested from coastal ponds. According to various academic sources, these eels were even doted upon by notable Romans. Julius Caesar reportedly received over 6,000 morays for extravagant feasts, while Antonia, Augustus’s niece, kept one as a pet, adorning it with earrings.

The University of Chicago has documented tales of the famous Roman general Crassus, who similarly pampered his pet eel with jewelry and trained it to respond to its name, much like one would with a dog. When his beloved eel passed away, it was treated to a formal funeral.

However, the moray eel found on the California beach was devoid of any bling and certainly didn’t appear to have received a proper farewell. Despite its unsettling look, the collaboration between wildlife officials and curious internet users helped to identify this misunderstood creature.

As one Reddit user humorously commented, “If the moon hits its eyes like a big pizza pie, that’s a Moray.” With the fascination surrounding this washed-up eel, it serves as a reminder of the strange and wonderful marine life that populates our oceans, even if it occasionally washes ashore in a less-than-glamorous state.

Sources: SFGate