The Mystery of the ‘Doomsday’ Fish: Why Japan Believes Oarfish Signal Disaster

Imagine you’re strolling along a beach, the waves crashing gently, when you spot something strange: a long, silvery, ribbon-like creature wriggling in the shallows.

It’s an oarfish, a deep-sea giant rarely seen by humans.

In Japan, this isn’t just a cool marine encounter—it’s a sign that disaster might be looming.

Known as “Ryugu no tsukai,” or “messenger from the sea god’s palace,” the oarfish has been linked to earthquakes and tsunamis for centuries.

But is there any truth to this chilling legend, or is it just a fishy tale? Let’s dive into the folklore, the science, and the recent sightings that keep this myth alive.

A Legend Born in the Deep

The oarfish’s reputation as a harbinger of doom goes back to 17th-century Japan.

In folklore, it’s believed that when these creatures leave their deep-sea homes in the mesopelagic zone—where light barely reaches—they’re delivering a warning from the sea gods.

Earthquakes or tsunamis, the story goes, are sure to follow.

This belief got a major boost in 2011 when several oarfish washed up on Japanese beaches just months before the Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami.

That disaster, a 9.0-magnitude quake, killed over 15,000 people and caused widespread destruction, cementing the oarfish’s nickname: the “doomsday fish”.

But it’s not just Japan. In August 2017, two oarfish appeared on Philippine shores, and the next day, a 6.6-magnitude earthquake struck Luzon.

Coincidence? Maybe. In 2013, two oarfish washed up in California, but no major disaster followed.

These mixed outcomes keep the debate alive: is the oarfish really a predictor of catastrophe, or are we just seeing patterns where none exist?

What Does Science Say?

Let’s get real: science isn’t exactly on board with the doomsday fish idea.

Some researchers have floated the theory that oarfish, living near underwater fault lines, might be sensitive to seismic activity, prompting them to surface before an earthquake.

It’s a cool idea—imagine a fish with a built-in earthquake detector. But most scientists aren’t convinced.

A 2019 study in the Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America found no significant link between oarfish sightings and earthquakes in Japan, suggesting it’s more likely a coincidence.

So, why do oarfish show up on beaches? The answer’s probably less mystical.

These creatures, which can grow up to 36 feet long according to the Florida Museum, live in the mesopelagic zone, a dark, high-pressure part of the ocean.

When they surface, it’s often because they’re sick, injured, or swept up by strong currents.

Environmental factors like El Niño or La Niña might also play a role, as noted by researchers at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography.

In other words, it’s less about divine warnings and more about a fish having a really bad day.

Recent Sightings Spark Buzz

The oarfish is making waves again—literally. In February 2025, a live oarfish was spotted on a beach in Baja California Sur, Mexico, wriggling in shallow water.

The video went viral, with social media buzzing about whether it was a sign of impending doom.

The fish, which appeared injured, was taken to a marine biologist for study, but no disaster followed.

Still, the sighting reignited the myth, with X posts speculating about earthquakes and tsunamis.

Closer to home, California saw three oarfish wash ashore in 2024, a rare occurrence since only 20 have been documented there since 1901.

One, found in Encinitas, came just days before a 4.4-magnitude earthquake near Los Angeles, adding fuel to the fire.

But here’s the thing: no major catastrophe followed, and scientists point to environmental factors like red tides or Santa Ana winds as possible causes for the strandings.

The Power of Myth in the Digital Age

Why does this belief stick around? For one, Japan’s history of earthquakes makes the idea of a natural warning system super appealing.

It’s like nature’s version of a smoke alarm. Plus, humans are wired to find patterns, even when they’re not there.

The oarfish’s rare, almost otherworldly appearance—think sea serpent with a crown of red spines—only adds to its mystique.

Social media doesn’t help. A viral X post from 2023 claimed an oarfish sighting off Taiwan happened just hours before a January 2024 earthquake.

Sounds ominous, right? Except the video was from July 2023, months earlier.

Misinformation like this spreads fast, keeping the myth alive even when the facts don’t add up.

The Ocean’s Lasting Mysteries

Here’s the truth: we know more about the moon than we do about the deep sea.

The oarfish, thriving in a part of the ocean we’ve barely explored, is a reminder of how much we still don’t understand.

Are they really warning us of disasters, or are they just unlucky fish caught in the wrong current? Science leans toward the latter, but the mystery keeps us hooked.

Personally, I think there’s something poetic about the idea of a fish carrying messages from the deep.

It’s like the ocean is trying to tell us something, even if it’s not about earthquakes. But until we have hard evidence, I’m siding with the scientists on this one.

Still, every time an oarfish surfaces, I can’t help but wonder: what if there’s more to it? What if the sea gods are real? Okay, maybe that’s a stretch, but it’s fun to dream.

Oarfish Sightings and Outcomes

The oarfish will likely keep popping up, and we’ll keep debating what it means.

Whether it’s a messenger of doom or just a fish out of place, one thing’s for sure: it’s a story that captures our imagination, blending ancient folklore with modern science in a way that keeps us all guessing.

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