The fishermen off the coast of Tamil Nadu, India, hauled in an extraordinary catch: a 30-foot-long oarfish, a deep-sea creature rarely seen near the surface. Known as the “doomsday fish,” this silvery, ribbon-like marine giant has ignited a wave of intrigue and unease among locals and netizens alike. The sighting, captured in viral videos, marks one of four reported oarfish appearances globally since May, with others in Australia, New Zealand, and California. While scientists attribute these events to natural causes, the fish’s eerie reputation as a harbinger of disaster has fueled intense speculation.

The oarfish, scientifically named Regalecus glesne, is one of the longest bony fish in the world, dwelling 200 to 1,000 meters below the ocean’s surface. Its rare surface appearances are often linked to injury, disorientation, or shifting ocean currents, according to marine biologists. A 2019 study by the Scripps Institution of Oceanography found no evidence connecting oarfish sightings to earthquakes or tsunamis, debunking long-standing myths. Yet, the Tamil Nadu incident, reported widely on June 18, 2025, by folklore and the locals of Tamilnadu.

Superstition Stories Surrounding the Oarfish:

 Legend holds that its appearance warns of impending natural disasters, a belief reinforced by sightings before Japan’s 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, which killed nearly 19,000 people. In Indian coastal communities, particularly in Tamil Nadu, similar anxieties surfaced after the May 2025 catch, with locals recalling the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. Some netizens on X linked the sighting to recent global tensions, like the Iran-Israel conflict, though no evidence supports such claims.

Beyond Japan, the oarfish’s sea-serpent-like appearance has inspired tales worldwide. In ancient maritime lore, it was mistaken for mythical creatures, fueling stories of oceanic omens. Hindu texts, like the Matsya Purana, associate fish with cosmic events, and some Indian commentators have drawn parallels to these myths, though no specific oarfish legend exists in Indian tradition. Globally, the fish’s rarity keeps superstition alive, despite scientific dismissals.Some people believe that the appearance of an oarfish above the ocean is not a good sign for them or anywhere else.

While the oarfish’s Tamil Nadu appearance is a reminder of nature’s enigma, experts urge calm, emphasizing that its presence likely signals environmental shifts, not apocalyptic events.