Last week, Brighton and Hove Seafront Team shared that they had discovered a catfish stranded on Brighton beach.

Team member Chaz helped to rescue the animal, highlighting that the sighting was “really unusual” due to the low tide at the time.

In a post shared on social media, the team shared video footage from the rescue.

The caption said: “Another life saved on the seafront!

“Whilst on patrol our seafront officer Chaz spotted a catfish stranded at the top of the beach. Acting quickly, Chaz carefully carried the fish back down to the water’s edge and gently helped it familiarise with the sea.

“After a few moments, the catfish was able to swim off strongly back into the ocean where it belongs. A small moment on the beach, but a big difference for one sea creature!”

Seafront teams help to return the catfish to the sea (Image: Wikimedia Commons)

Catfish are easily identified due to their long, slender bodies, broad heads, wide mouths, and barbels – whisker-like protrusions from their jaw and chin.

There are thousands of species of catfish, with the Wels Catfish named as one of the largest freshwater fish in the UK.

In the post, the seafront team also encouraged the public to report any wildlife in distress.

It said: “If you ever see wildlife in distress along the seafront, please don’t attempt to handle it yourself.

“Instead contact the seafront office and our team will do their best to respond and get the appropriate help to the animal.”

In February last year, two dogfish washed up on Brighton beach (Image: Stuart Price)

There have been a number of unusual sightings on Sussex beaches over the years.

In February last year, a man was surprised to discover two sharks washed up on Brighton beach.

Stuart Price was out looking for driftwood when he stumbled upon the animals, which were believed to be lesser-spotted dogfish – a type of small shark common in UK waters.

In Worthing, Katalina Delaney was walking her dog when she came across a conger eel in November 2025.

The eels, which can grow up to 2.75 metres in length, are nocturnal and “quite elusive” meaning they are “often not seen”.