Is the oarfish here to predict disaster or just stir the pot?

The oarfish is a deep-sea creature renowned for its elongated, silver-shining ribbon-like body and serpentine movements .For centuries, it has been associated with superstitions and myths, earning it the moniker "doomsday fish." Historically, sightings of this elusive fish near shorelines were linked to impending natural disasters, particularly earthquakes or tsunamis. Recent sightings have re-ignited public interest and speculation regarding these associations. 

Japanese folklore indicates the fish belonged to servants of the sea god Ryūjin. The fish are also known as "ryugu no tsukai," which translates to "messenger from the sea god’s palace." Legend states that the oarfish were sent from the deep-sea palace toward the surface to warn people of earthquakes. Some people still wonder if its presence signals an impending disaster.

Historically, oarfish were sometimes seen floating near shorelines just before a major quake. This myth has continued to thrive partly due to the fish’s presence before seismic events. This led to a widespread legendary belief that these fish sense shifts in the Earth’s tectonic plates and predict the next elusive event.

These deep-sea creatures typically inhabit depths of hundreds to thousands of feet. Their rare appearance in shallow waters makes them seem like messengers from another world. 

They have only appeared on California’s shores 20 times since 1901. In 2024, three separate instances of deep-sea oarfish appearing were documented. The latest encounter occurred on a beach in Encinitas, where a Scripps Institution of Oceanography Ph.D. student found a nine-to-10-foot specimen. Previous sightings included a 12-foot oarfish near San Diego in the summer and another in Huntington Beach in September.

On Feb. 9, this mysterious creature washed ashore on Mexico’s Pacific coast, sparking fears among locals of impending disaster.

Most recently, an oarfish washed ashore on Playa Quemada in the Canary Islands. Beachgoers discovered the creature, and the footage of the incident went viral on Instagram, amassing over nine million views.

In 2011, 20 oarfish were found ashore before Japan’s 9.0-magnitude earthquake and subsequent tsunami. These were among the most devastating natural disasters in Japan's history. Similarly, a 7.0-magnitude earthquake followed a preceding case in California in 2024.

Oarfish experts suggest changes in ocean conditions, like El Niño and La Niña, might explain the increase in sightings. Researchers collected samples from the latest findings to enhance knowledge about these fascinating creatures.

Scientists at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography also believe oceanic conditions and natural cycles could explain the sightings. Changes in water temperature, pressure, illness, and injury are all factors that would cause the fish to surface.

The recent sightings have re-ignited discussions among the media, scientists, and the public about their potential connection to natural disasters. Various expertsassert that no scientific evidence links oarfish sightings to seismic activity.

While many animals have been observed behaving differently before earthquakes, there is no proven link between these behaviors and the ability to predict a quake.

Researchers including a team of scientists from UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography and California State University Fullerton have been working to learn more about the fish recently, uncovering secrets about its biology and role in the marine ecosystem. While the oarfish will likely continue to be linked with disaster in popular culture, scientists are eager to explore this incredible fish's mysteries.

Whether or not it has a supernatural connection to earthquakes is still up for debate. But one thing is certain: The oarfish will always evoke curiosity and fascination, whether it's called the "doomsday fish" or simply one of the ocean’s most remarkable animals.