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It is thought that these so-called strandings of the oarfish may be related to shifts in the climate patterns of El Niño and La Niña.
Indeed, researchers have mainly focused on the ways in which each specimen collected can help us learn more about the species.
However, as is so often the case with these things, there is likely more than one factor at play.
Sources: (USA Today) (Parade)
See also: What are the most fascinating subspecies of wildlife?
Whether or not you believe in the Japanese legend, the increasing number of oarfish sightings is objectively interesting.
In discussing why the three oarfish washed up on the coast of California last year, scientists have been unable to determine a definite cause.
In 2017, there were reports of six oarfish spotted before a deadly earthquake in the southern Philippines.
Hence, oarfish, are also sometimes referred to as "messengers from the sea god’s palace."
In recent years, there have been several events that caused people to believe there is at least a sprinkling of truth in this old legend.
In March 2011, a severe earthquake hit Japan’s Fukushima and simultaneously triggered a massive tsunami.
In 2010, for example, at least a dozen oarfish were washed up on the coast of Japan. Shortly after this sighting, disaster struck.
And in 2019, at least three oarfish were found washed up on the coast of Japan, just months before the Yamagata earthquake and blackout.
Legend has it that the oarfish are sent to the ocean’s surface by their masters to warn people of an approaching earthquake or tsunami.
According to the travel outlet Atlas Obscura, this legend dates all the way back to the 17th century.
In Japanese folklore, the sighting of a doomsday fish in shallow waters is considered a warning of an impending earthquake.
The folklore teaches us that the shimmering oarfish belonged to servants of the sea god, Ryujin.
All three oarfish spotted in California were found dead. However, the one found in Mexico in February 2025 was alive, making the sighting even more exciting. Pictured is a baby oarfish.
Finally, on November 6, 2024, the body of a 10-foot (3-meter) oarfish was found at a beach in Encinitas, around 25 miles (40 kilometers) north of San Diego.
The second oarfish sighting of 2024 was at Orange County’s Huntington Beach in September 2024. The fish was also found dead.
The body of the 12-foot-long (3.65-meter-long) oarfish was discovered by a group of kayakers and snorkelers swimming in La Jolla Cove in San Diego.
The first sighting took place in August 2024 and marked the region's first spotting of the rare fish in nearly 125 years.
The shimmering oarfish is quite a sight to behold. Firstly, it is one of the longest fish species in the world.
Until recently, the species had hardly ever been spotted on land. In the second half of 2024, however, there were three separate sightings in southern California.
The oarfish has a slender, ribbon-like body, and iridescent silver scales that cause it to shimmer.
The shimmering oarfish prefers to reside in depths between 656 and 3,200 feet (between 200 and 975 meters).
In this case, it seemed the oarfish was coming to the end of its life and had come to the shore to die.
Beachgoers were surprised, and somewhat shaken, to spot a shimmering oarfish squirming around in the shallow coastal waters.
On February 9, 2025, there was great excitement and trepidation at the Mexican beach, Baja California Sur.
Known to some as the "doomsday fish," the oarfish is native to the deep ocean, and according to Japanese folklore, it is a symbol of impending doom.
Indeed, doomsday fish have been known to grow up to 30 feet (approximately nine meters) in length and weigh up to 600 pounds (approximately 272 kilograms).
It is incredibly rare to spot this marine serpent out of its native deep-sea habitat, and it’s even more rare to find one alive.
A fish that legend says can predict disaster has now sparked scientific interest
Can this rare fish really predict disaster?
LIFESTYLE Science
According to Japanese folklore, there is a rare species of deep-water fish that can predict earthquakes. Legend has it that whenever an earthquake or tsunami is about to strike, the so-called "doomsday fish" will make the journey up from the depths of the ocean to warn the nearby humans.
As a general rule, it is very rare to spot a doomsday fish in shallow waters. In the past few years, however, that has started to change.
Curious? Check out this gallery to find out more.