🌊 Do Oarfish Predict Disasters? Rare 'Doomsday Fish' Sightings Around the World
In 2025, several sightings of the rare oarfish — often nicknamed the “doomsday fish” — have been reported across the globe. Because oarfish are rarely seen, their sudden appearance often sparks rumors of impending earthquakes and tsunamis.
📍 What Is an Oarfish?
- Habitat: Deep ocean, 150–1000m
- Length: Up to 9 meters (29 feet)
- Appearance: Silvery scales, bright red dorsal fin, elongated ribbon-like body
- Nickname: Sea serpent, Doomsday Fish
Normally living in the deep ocean, oarfish are rarely seen near the coast, which adds to the mystery surrounding them.
🌎 2025 Recent Sightings
| January | Baja California, Mexico | ~2m | Large oarfish with bright red dorsal fin spotted by surfers |
| February | Playa Quemada, Canary Islands | ~2m | Discovered by a tourist while swimming |
| June | Tasmania, Australia | 2.7m | First time ever recorded in Tasmania, captured in photos |
A 2.7-meter (8.8-foot) oarfish found on a Tasmanian beach recently drew major attention. Marine biologists confirmed how rare it is to see such a deep-sea fish near the surface.
🔥 Oarfish and Disaster Superstitions
Many coastal communities believe that oarfish sightings warn of coming disasters.
- 2010: Multiple oarfish sightings in Japan → 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake
- 2024: Oarfish spotted in California → 7.0 magnitude earthquake the next month
While there is no scientific proof, some researchers suggest that disturbances in the ocean may bring deep-sea creatures to the surface.
🧭 Expert Opinion
"It's extremely rare to see oarfish near the surface. Their appearance is likely due to environmental stress, not an omen of disaster."
— Neville Barrett, University of Tasmania, Marine Ecology Professor
Oarfish continue to captivate the imagination — whether as harbingers of doom or as fascinating deep-sea mysteries.