In early June 2025, fishermen near Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, were stunned to find a colossal silver creature—nearly 30 feet long—floating in their nets. Commonly dubbed the “Doomsday Fish,” this ribbon-like oarfish (Regalecus glesne) is seldom seen near the surface, typically dwelling between 200–1,000 m deep. Its sudden emergence sparked both awe and alarm.
This was no isolated incident. Since May 2025, similar oarfish appearances were reported across India, Australia, New Zealand, and California—four sightings in just 20 days. The clustered events reignited age-old myths and raised questions: coincidence or cosmic signal?
FOLKLORE & FEAR: THE DOOMSDAY CONNECTION
In Japanese tradition, the oarfish is known as Ryūgū-no-tsukai, literally the “Messenger from the Sea‑God’s Palace.” Legends tell of the fish surfacing before major earthquakes or tsunamis—most famously, prior to the 2011 Tōhoku disaster, when beaches across Japan were littered with oarfish .
In the Philippines, Mexico, and California, sightings also preceded seismic events, fueling the legend of the oarfish as a harbinger of doom .This lore has even traveled to Tamil Nadu, where local fishermen whispered of looming calamity upon laying eyes on the deep-sea denizen As media reported: “Triggers folklore fears of impending disaster”.
Despite cultural lore, science offers a more mundane explanation:
- Sick or Injured Fish – Oarfish often surface when weakened, disoriented by illness or injury
- Environmental Triggers – Shifts in ocean currents, temperature fluctuations, chemical changes, or even minor underwater tremors may push deep-sea creatures upward
- No Evidence of Predictive Power – A 2019 study in the Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America found no correlation between oarfish strandings and earthquakes
- Psychological & Cultural Drivers – As experts reported, fear of the unknown mixed with powerful folklore fuels the so‑called “fallacy”: humans see patterns—even if none exist .
KEY FACTS ABOUT DOOMSDAY FISH (OARFISH)
1. Scientific Name: Regalecus glesne
2. Common Names:
- Doomsday Fish (popular name due to folklore)
- Ribbonfish
- King of Herrings
- Ryūgū-no-tsukai (Japan – “Messenger from the Sea God’s Palace”)
3. Habitat:
- Found in deep ocean waters around the world
- Typically lives at depths of 200–1,000 meters (656–3,280 feet)
4. Size:
- Can grow up to 11 meters (36 feet) long
- One of the longest bony fish in the world
5. Appearance:
- Long, ribbon-like silver body
- Distinctive red or orange fins on the head and along the back
- Appears serpentine, contributing to sea serpent legends
6. Behavior:
- Rarely seen near the surface
- Usually only observed when sick, injured, or dying
- Non-aggressive and slow-moving
7. Diet:
- Feeds on krill, plankton, small crustaceans, and squid
8. Mythology & Folklore:
- In Japanese and Philippine folklore, oarfish are believed to appear before natural disasters, particularly earthquakes or tsunamis
- Called the “Doomsday Fish” due to this association
9. Scientific View on the “Doomsday” Myth:
- No scientific evidence supports that oarfish predict earthquakes
- They may be forced to the surface by changes in water temperature, pressure, pollution, or underwater disturbances
10. Recent Sightings:
- Frequently found washed ashore or caught near coastlines in India, Japan, Mexico, the U.S., and the Philippines
- Most recently spotted in Tamil Nadu, India (June 2025), sparking renewed fears and viral social media buzz
This event offers more than sensational headlines—it’s a window into:
- Marine biodiversity: Each rare sighting reveals the hidden complexity of ocean life and spotlights species threatened by climate change and oceanic disturbances.
- Science communication: Bridging myth with fact remains crucial to preventing panic and promoting informed curiosity.
- Disaster preparedness: While folklore may warn, relying on seismology, early warning systems, and data-driven science is the true path to safety.
The Tamil Nadu oarfish became an overnight phenomenon—a blend of local legend, global events, and deep‑sea wonder. While myths may glorify it, real understanding lies in beaches, labs, and seas where science deciphers nature’s signals.
Let this be a reminder: the ocean still holds mysteries—but it’s our knowledge, not fear, that should guide our response.
