The ‘Doomsday Fish’ and its Eerie Connection to Natural Disasters

In the ocean’s depths, a mysterious creature has been the subject of folklore and superstition for centuries. Known as the oarfish or the “Doomsday Fish,” this elusive giant has been linked to impending disasters, sparking fear and fascination among those who have encountered it.

But what is the truth behind these legends? Are oarfish really harbingers of doom, or is there a more scientific explanation for their rare appearances?

The Elusive Oarfish

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The Doomsday Fish is actually a species known as the oarfish (Regalecus glesne). These elongated, serpentine creatures are the world’s longest bony fish, with reliable records of specimens reaching up to 26 feet in length and unconfirmed reports of individuals as long as 36 feet. 

Oarfish inhabit the mesopelagic and epipelagic zones of temperate and tropical oceans worldwide, typically at depths of 2,132-10,826 feet.(ref)

Despite their impressive size, oarfish are rarely seen by humans due to their deep-sea habitat. They have a distinctive appearance, with a long, laterally compressed body, a bright silver color, and a prominent red dorsal fin running the entire length of their body. Their pelvic fins are elongated and resemble oars, hence their common name.

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Legend of the Earthquake Fish

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In Japanese folklore, the oarfish is known as the “Messenger from the Sea God’s Palace” and is believed to surface before earthquakes and tsunamis. This legend has been fueled by some eerie coincidences.(ref)

In 2010, several oarfish were spotted off the coast of Japan just months before the devastating 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami. More recently, two oarfish washed ashore in the Philippines one day before a magnitude 6.6 earthquake struck the island of Luzon in August 2023.(ref)

The Science Behind the Superstition

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Despite the spooky stories, scientists are skeptical about any connection between oarfish sightings and natural disasters. While some researchers have hypothesized that deep-sea fish like oarfish may be more sensitive to seismic activity due to their proximity to fault lines, most experts believe the link is coincidental.

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Oceanographer Mark Benfield believes that oarfish are more likely driven to the surface by strong currents or due to poor health, rather than by seismic activity.(ref)

A 2019 study published in the Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America found no correlation between oarfish sightings and earthquakes in Japan. (ref)

Oarfish’s Mysterious Behavior

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While the earthquake omen may be a myth, the oarfish remains a fascinating and enigmatic creature. Scientists still know relatively little about their behavior and biology, as live specimens are rarely observed in their natural deep-sea habitat.

Oarfish are thought to orient themselves vertically in the water column, with their head pointed upwards and their tail downwards. They use their elongated dorsal fin for propulsion, undulating it in an amiiform swimming mode. Researchers have captured rare footage of live oarfish using remotely operated vehicles, providing valuable insights into their behavior.

These fish are solitary and do not exhibit schooling behavior. They are carnivorous, feeding primarily on zooplankton, krill, small squid, and fish. Oarfish have been observed eating by suctioning prey while in the water.

Reproduction in oarfish is still poorly understood. They are thought to be broadcast spawners, with females releasing hundreds of thousands to millions of eggs into the water column. The eggs and larvae are pelagic, floating freely until the juveniles mature.

While the legend of the Doomsday Fish makes for a compelling story, the scientific evidence doesn’t support the idea that oarfish sightings are a reliable predictor of natural disasters. These fascinating creatures are still shrouded in mystery, and there’s much we have yet to learn about their behavior and biology.

So the next time you see a headline about the Doomsday Fish, take it with a grain of salt. But don’t let that stop you from appreciating the wonder and awe that these incredible animals inspire in us all.

The oarfish may not be a supernatural omen, but it remains one of the ocean’s most captivating inhabitants.

davin
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Davin is a jack-of-all-trades but has professional training and experience in various home and garden subjects. He leans on other experts when needed and edits and fact-checks all articles.