THEY are normally found in the balmy waters of sub-tropical coral reefs.

But this moray eel got a bit lost – it was trawled up from the bracing waters off the Cornish coast.

The moray, which has a reputation as a vicious creature, was pulled from a net by the beam trawler Trevissa IV just 60 miles from Newlyn last Friday morning. It is believed to be the first time the species has been caught in British waters in more than 100 years.

Experts put the find down to global warming increasing the temperature of the oceans.

The 4ft eel, which weighs between 10 and 12 kilograms (22lb to 26lb), was won at Newlyn Fish Market auction by John Payne, of Marisco Fish.

He said: "These eels normally live in rocks and coral reefs but this one was caught by a deep bottom trawler.

"I have been to Australia where I have seen these before, so when I saw it, I had my suspicions but I wasn't sure.

"I thought it shouldn't be there, realised it was rare and shouldn't be swimming in these waters so I decided to buy it. It is a one-off and first of its kind found in these waters."

Mr Payne plans to stuff the creature and keep it in his shop.

Rare fish expert Doug Herdson, said: "The only local (Westcountry) records that I can find are three caught off Cornwall and three caught elsewhere in cold waters. One was taken near Polperro in 1834, one captured off Fowey in 1865 and a similar fish taken near the Eddystone Rock in 1897."