On a sunny day earlier this month, February 9, 2025, beachgoers at Playa El Quemado in Baja California Sur, Mexico, witnessed a sight so rare and astonishing that it left them in disbelief. A shimmering, brightly colored creature, known as an oarfish, emerged from the depths of the ocean and swam toward the shore, sparking excitement, curiosity, and a touch of fear. Dubbed the “doomsday fish” in folklore, this elusive deep-sea dweller is rarely seen alive, making the encounter a moment that one onlooker aptly described as, “Nobody’s gonna believe this.”
What is the ‘Doomsday Fish’?
The oarfish, scientifically unremarkable but culturally fascinating, is a long, ribbon-like fish that can grow up to 36 feet in length and weigh hundreds of pounds. Typically, these creatures inhabit the dark, remote depths of the ocean, anywhere from 650 to over 3,000 feet below the surface, where they feed on plankton and small crustaceans. Their scaleless, silvery bodies and striking red dorsal fins give them an almost otherworldly appearance, which might explain why they’ve been linked to sea monster legends for centuries.
But it’s not just their eerie look that makes oarfish so intriguing. In various cultures, particularly in Japan, the oarfish is considered a harbinger of doom. According to folklore, their rare appearances near the surface or on beaches are ominous signs of impending natural disasters, such as earthquakes or tsunamis. This nickname, “doomsday fish,” gained renewed attention after the devastating 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami in Japan, when reports surfaced that dozens of oarfish had washed ashore in the months leading up to the catastrophe. While scientists have since debunked any direct correlation between oarfish sightings and seismic activity, the myth persists, fueled by the fish’s mysterious nature and the timing of past disasters.
The Mexico Beach Sighting
The recent sighting in Mexico, captured on video by beachgoer Robert Hayes, shows the oarfish struggling in the shallow waters of Playa El Quemado. In the footage, the fish’s iridescent body glimmers as it lifts its head slightly above the water, a behavior Hayes described as the creature “swimming straight at us.” The video, which has since gone viral, captures the reactions of stunned onlookers, one of whom can be heard exclaiming, “That’s an oarfish. Holy sh–, they’ve almost never been seen live.” Another voice chimes in with, “Nobody’s gonna believe this,” as someone approaches to take pictures and even attempts to help the fish back into deeper water.
Despite their efforts, Hayes noted that the oarfish kept returning to shore, leading some to speculate that it might be injured or disoriented. “We redirected it three times out to the water, but it came back each time,” he told reporters. Concerned for its well-being, the group considered taking the fish to a marine biologist for examination, a move that highlights the rarity and scientific value of such an encounter.
This particular oarfish was relatively small for its species, measuring only a few feet long. However, even at that size, its appearance was a spectacle. Oarfish can grow to lengths rivaling a school bus, making them the longest bony fish in the ocean. Their rarity near the surface—where they are usually found only when sick, dying, or disoriented—adds to the mystique and alarm surrounding their sightings.
A Global Phenomenon
The Mexico sighting isn’t an isolated incident. In recent years, oarfish have been washing ashore with surprising frequency, particularly along the coasts of California and Japan. Last year, at least three oarfish were found dead on beaches in Southern California, including one in San Diego that marked the region’s first sighting in nearly 125 years. In November 2024, a 10-foot oarfish was discovered on Grandview Beach in Encinitas, California, by a PhD candidate from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. These events have reignited interest in the “doomsday fish” legend, with social media users and news outlets speculating about whether these appearances signal trouble ahead.
Scientists, however, offer a more grounded explanation. Ben Frable, manager of the Scripps Oceanography Marine Vertebrate Collection, suggests that changes in ocean conditions, such as shifts related to El Niño and La Niña cycles, might be driving oarfish closer to the surface or causing them to strand on beaches. “Many researchers have suggested this as to why deep-water fish strand on beaches,” Frable explained. “Sometimes it may be linked to broader shifts, but this is not always the case.” While this explanation lacks the drama of apocalyptic predictions, it underscores the importance of studying these rare events to better understand deep-sea ecosystems.
Superstition vs. Science
The “doomsday fish” moniker is a fascinating blend of superstition and science, rooted in cultural beliefs that date back centuries. In Japanese mythology, oarfish are known as “ryugu no tsukai,” or “messengers from the sea god’s palace,” sent to warn humans of earthquakes. This belief gained traction after the 2011 disaster in Japan, but a 2019 study by Japanese researchers found no statistical link between oarfish strandings and natural disasters. Despite this, the legend endures, fueled by the fish’s enigmatic nature and the timing of past events.
In Mexico and other parts of the world, the recent sighting has sparked similar fears. Posts on social media platforms like X have amplified the story, with users expressing concern that the oarfish’s appearance could foreshadow a catastrophe. “Earthquakes probably,” wrote one commenter, while another noted, “They show up before natural disasters.” Yet, for every voice of alarm, there are experts like Hiroyuki Motomura, a professor of ichthyology at Kagoshima University, who dismiss the connection as “a giant fish tale.” “There is no scientific evidence of a connection,” Motomura said, urging people not to worry.
What Does It Mean?
So, what should we make of the oarfish washing ashore in Mexico? For scientists, each sighting is a rare opportunity to study a creature that spends most of its life in the ocean’s uncharted depths. Researchers hope to learn more about the oarfish’s biology, behavior, and the factors that drive it to surface. For the public, the event is a reminder of the ocean’s mysteries and the enduring power of folklore to shape our perceptions.
While the “doomsday fish” label might grab headlines, there’s no evidence to suggest that this beautiful and bizarre creature is anything more than a victim of its environment. Whether it’s changing ocean currents, injury, or simply bad luck, the oarfish’s appearance is a natural phenomenon, not a supernatural warning. Still, the allure of the unknown keeps the legend alive, ensuring that each sighting will continue to captivate and unsettle us in equal measure.
As for the beachgoers at Playa El Quemado, their encounter with the oarfish will likely remain one of those unforgettable moments—a glimpse into the deep sea’s secrets that few ever experience. And who knows? Maybe someday, science will uncover the full story behind the “doomsday fish,” proving once and for all whether it’s a messenger of doom or just another marvel of the natural world. Until then, the mystery endures, and so does the awe.
