Recent sightings of the rare oarfish, often referred to as the "Doomsday Fish," have captured the public's imagination, particularly following its appearance on the beaches of Baja California Sur, Mexico. The oarfish, known for its long, ribbon-like body, shimmering silver scales, and unique folklore surrounding it, has appeared near the surface, causing widespread chatter on social media.
On February 9, 2025, video footage captured by beachgoer Robert Hayes depicted the unusual sight of the oarfish languishing at Playa El Quemado. Typically found at depths ranging from 650 to 2,400 feet, sightings of this deep-sea fish are rare, especially alive. Josh Robins, the collection manager for the Division of Ichthyology at the Florida Museum of Natural History, noted, "When oarfish are found in shallow coastal waters, it often indicates they are experiencing some kind of psychological stressor. Unfortunately, many oarfish will die from such distress and cannot thrive after being stranded."
The oarfish's rare appearances have been historically intertwined with folklore, particularly within Japanese culture. Known as "Ryugu no tsukai," or "messenger from the sea god's palace," these creatures have been rumored to predict disasters, especially earthquakes and tsunamis. This belief gained traction after several oarfish washed up on beaches shortly before the devastating Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami of 2011, which had catastrophic consequences. This heightened association between oarfish sightings and disaster serves as the backdrop for current events.
The recent appearance of the oarfish on the Mexican shores follows several similar occurrences. Notably, two oarfish washed ashore in the Philippines just one day before the magnitude 6.6 earthquake hit Luzon on August 2017, and similar reports emerged from California, where two oarfish were found on the beaches prior to significant seismic activity. Despite the eerie coincidences, scientific investigations have raised doubts about the validity of the belief linking oarfish sightings and disasters.
Many scientists argue against the connection. A study published in the Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America found no statistical evidence correlates oarfish sightings with earthquakes. Robins elaborated, "Though some researchers theorize oarfish could sense underwater seismic activity due to their habitat, the predominant view is they are more likely influenced by environmental conditions, illness, or strong currents."
Reactions from beachgoers following the recent sighting highlight the mixture of fascination and fear surrounding this enigmatic creature. Hayes, who recorded the video, expressed his surprise at seeing the oarfish, noting, "This is amazing, it’s the smallest one I’ve ever seen." He described trying to guide the fish back to the water, where it struggled to swim back after repeated attempts. Its flattened, silver appearance with reddish-orange dorsal fin rays drew significant attention from observers.
Despite the anxiety surrounding the sightings, experts advise caution. Although oarfish do not pose any direct threat to humans, the safest action for beachgoers is to observe them from afar. If one encounters oarfish, either stranded or deceased, Robins suggests contacting marine biologists for research purposes.
Over the years, folklore has shaped our perceptions of the oarfish, embedding it within the cultural psyche as more than just another species of fish. Historian insights reveal how centuries of myths have contributed to its narrative as "doomsday fish". Throughout various cultures, oarfish have been depicted as harbingers of impending calamities, indicating higher powers sending warnings about natural disasters. The species has often been linked to ominous predictions, nurturing community fears about the unknown.
Historians and folklorists continue to explore the origins and persistency of these legends, questioning if such creature associations are reflections of human anxiety about natural disasters. While the allure of the"Doomsday Fish" relies heavily on scholarly narratives and ancient beliefs, scientific inquiry insists on vigilance over superstition.
While the lore surrounding the oarfish serves cultural narratives, those discovering the creature on the shores are witnesses to environmental encounters wrought with complications from human developments, pollution, and climate change. Understanding the realities and mythologies surrounding oarfish sightings, from believing it to be predictors of disasters to acknowledging their existence within the fragile ecosystems of the ocean, forces us to confront difficult conversations about nature’s balance and humanity's role.
Modern perspectives encourage us to appreciate the oarfish for its unique ecological identity rather than solely through supernatural lenses. Sea creatures such as the oarfish embody the mysteries of the depths yet reflect our interpretations of chaos and unpredictability around us. Therefore, as the conversation about the oarfish advances, the question lingers: Are we ready to reconcile these two worlds—the scientifically explainable and the folkloric chains we uphold?