Is the ‘doomsday fish' a real omen of disaster? Here's what scientists say

Time of India

2 days ago

The ocean, with its vastness and mystery, has long inspired awe and anxiety. Among its strangest residents is the giant oarfish—an elusive, ribbon-like deep-sea creature that has recently gained viral notoriety as the so-called "
doomsday fish
."
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Social media platforms have been flooded with posts and videos of
oarfish sightings
, often paired with ominous claims of impending disasters, especially earthquakes and tsunamis. This fear is not new. For centuries, coastal cultures have viewed these sea creatures as harbingers of doom, appearing just before seismic catastrophes. But is there any truth to these beliefs? Or are we merely falling prey to myth, coincidence, and viral hysteria?
Here you can explore the origins of the 'doomsday fish' myth, the biology and habitat of the
giant oarfish
, notable historical sightings, scientific studies on the subject, and the cultural impact of their modern appearances.
Why 'doomsday fish' is feared as a sign of disaster
The creature often labeled as the 'doomsday fish' is officially known as Regalecus glesne. It belongs to the Regalecidae family and holds the record as the longest bony fish in the world, with lengths reaching up to 36 feet (11 meters).
Giant oarfish inhabit the mesopelagic zone of the ocean—between 660 to 3,300 feet (200 to 1,000 meters) below the surface. These depths are characterized by low light and frigid temperatures.
Due to their deep-sea lifestyle, sightings of oarfish are extremely rare, and most encounters occur when they are sick or dying, often washing ashore or surfacing in shallower waters.
Their serpentine bodies, reflective silver skin, and crimson dorsal fins that run the length of their bodies make them striking and eerie to behold. This dramatic appearance likely contributes to their association with omens and disaster.
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Folklore origins: Why are they called the 'doomsday fish'?
In Japanese folklore, the oarfish is called 'Ryugu no tsukai', which translates to 'Messenger from the Sea God's Palace.' Historically, sightings of these creatures were interpreted as warnings of earthquakes or tsunamis, believed to be messages from the gods residing deep within the ocean.
Other coastal communities across the Pacific and Asia have similar beliefs, viewing oarfish appearances as omens of misfortune, death, or natural calamities.
These beliefs were mostly oral traditions, passed down through generations of fishermen and seafarers who depended on the moods of the ocean for their livelihood.
Did oarfish predict the 2011 tsunami? The viral doomsday theory
The most cited incident fueling the modern doomsday narrative occurred in 2010, when several dead oarfish were found along the coast of Japan. Just months later, in March 2011, the devastating Tohoku earthquake and tsunami struck, resulting in over 15,000 deaths and triggering the Fukushima nuclear disaster.
Although scientists have debunked a direct connection, this timing reignited old beliefs and established the oarfish as a viral symbol of impending doom in modern pop culture.
Earthquake panic goes viral after oarfish videos flood social media
In the past decade, sightings of oarfish have become more frequent—partly because of climate change, but also because more people are filming and sharing ocean-related content. Viral TikToks and Instagram reels show these creatures floating near beaches or caught in fishing nets, often with panicked captions predicting earthquakes.
Some notable recent sightings include:
2022: A 13-foot oarfish spotted near Taiwan triggered widespread rumors of an impending quake.
2023: A dying oarfish surfaced in the Philippines just days before a 6.1-magnitude earthquake struck Luzon.
2025: A live oarfish was filmed off the coast of Baja California, Mexico, racking up millions of views and reigniting the doomsday buzz.
Fact check: Oarfish sightings don't signal earthquakes
Despite the superstition, scientific research has found no conclusive evidence linking oarfish sightings to tectonic activity. In a 2019 paper published in the Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America, researchers reviewed dozens of reported oarfish appearances and found no statistically significant correlation with seismic events.
There are several biological explanations for why oarfish occasionally appear near the surface:
Injuries or illness due to parasites or infections.
Disorientation caused by underwater noise pollution or temperature shifts.
Upwelling events that bring deeper waters—and the creatures in them—closer to the surface.
Climate change and ocean warming may also be disrupting their natural habitats, forcing them into areas populated by humans.
The psychological and cultural appeal of omens
Humans are pattern-seeking creatures. In uncertain times, especially following disasters, we often look for signs or warnings we missed. This behavior is deeply rooted in psychology and cultural memory.
The idea of a 'doomsday fish' allows people to feel a sense of control—if we can spot the warning signs, perhaps we can prepare for or avoid disaster. This belief is less about the fish and more about how humans cope with fear.