🌊 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

📅 Date📍 Location📏 Size🔍 Notes

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.