Rare ‘doomsday fish’ found in Tamil Nadu; folklore fuels fears of impending disaster

A rare 30-foot-long oarfish (Regalecus glesne), also known as the ‘Doomsday Fish’ or ‘Pralaya Fish’, was recently caught in fishermen’s nets off the coast of Tamil Nadu.

The shimmering, ribbon-like deep-sea creature, with its distinctive silver body and red crest-like fin on the head, stunned both the locals and netizens after a video of the catch went viral on social media.

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Deep-Sea Rarity Raises Ancient Alarms

The oarfish typically resides at depths of 200 to 1,000 meters, making sightings near the surface extremely rare. 

In Japanese and Filipino folklore, the oarfish is considered a messenger from the sea god’s palace and a harbinger of impending natural disasters, especially earthquakes and tsunamis. The fish is referred to as “Ryugu no tsukai” in Japan, which translates to “messenger from the sea god’s palace.”

Following the Tamil Nadu sighting on May 30, 2025, fears of potential seismic activity surfaced on social media, with many speculating whether this was a warning sign of an upcoming earthquake or tsunami.

Doomsday fish have been found in Tamil Nadu, India. pic.twitter.com/MQWurkE9ZN

— ಸನಾತನ (@sanatan_kannada) May 31, 2025

Historical Sightings Before Major Disasters

Folkloric beliefs connecting oarfish sightings with disasters have gained traction due to past events:

• Japan, 2011: Around 20 oarfish were sighted before the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami, which killed over 15,000 people.

• Philippines, 2017: Two oarfish were spotted days before a 6.6 magnitude earthquake struck.

• Mexico: An oarfish reportedly washed ashore just before a significant seismic event.

• California (1901–2024): Only 20 oarfish were documented over more than a century, most of which were found dead.

These occurrences have cemented the fish’s reputation as an ominous signal among communities familiar with the lore.

Scientific Perspective: No Proven Link

Despite public concerns, marine biologists and geologists have repeatedly emphasized that no scientific evidence supports the idea that oarfish sightings predict earthquakes.

A 2019 study published in the Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America examined data between 1928 and 2011 and found no correlation between oarfish appearances and seismic activity. Researcher Yoshiaki Orihara concluded, “There is no clear link between the sighting of oarfish and earthquakes.”

Experts propose several alternative reasons for such rare surface appearances:

• Ocean temperature anomalies like El Niño

• Changes in ocean currents

• Pollution or illness

• Stress from deep-sea seismic or pressure disturbances

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Environmental Concerns & Viral Buzz

The Tamil Nadu oarfish sighting has not only intrigued folklore believers but also triggered wider debates on climate change and ocean health. 
As social media continues to debate whether this is a sign from the deep or a natural occurrence, one thing is certain: this rare sighting has rekindled interest in the mysteries of the ocean’s hidden world—and the urgent need to protect marine life.