Multiple rare oarfish sightings were recorded in 2025, including a live, 3-meter specimen near Tasmania in November. Several others appeared around the world in mid-2025, including in India and New Zealand in June. A live, small oarfish was also filmed in shallow water in Baja California Sur, Mexico, in February 2025.
Since late May to early June 2025, four rare appearances of the oarfish—a deep-sea creature also known as the “doomsday fish”—have been recorded across world waters. First, fishermen in Tamil Nadu, India, caught a massive 30‑foot specimen.
The oarfish has been nicknamed the "doomsday fish" because, historically, appearances of the fish were linked with subsequent natural disasters, namely earthquakes or tsunamis.
While these fish are known to occasionally wash up dead on beaches, live oarfish sightings are extremely rare—the first known video of one was captured by the U.S. Navy in 2001, per the Florida Museum of Natural History.
In 2024, there were at least three separate oarfish sightings in Southern California, including one in San Diego last August that marked the region's first spotting in nearly 125 years. However, all three fish were found dead. Need a news break? Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more!
The maximum reported length of the oarfish is 36 feet (1,100 cm) total length although it is more commonly observed at lengths of approximately 10 feet (300 cm) total length. It is considered the longest bony fish alive in modern times by the Guinness Book of World Records.
What is unique about the appearance of the oarfish in Animal Crossing? The oarfish, a rare oceanic creature in Animal Crossing, is available throughout the day from December to May. It is distinctive for its large shadow size and can be sold for 9,000 Bells.
While many legends may surround these creatures, it is unusual for humans to encounter oarfish. They primarily reside within the deep sea, so if one is spotted close to the surface, it typically indicates that the creature is sick, dying or at least disoriented.
The fish has gelatinous flesh which makes it unpalatable for human consumption (thankfully). Giant oarfish are thought to be originators of the tales of sea serpents though its common name comes from the appearance of its oar-like pelvic fins.
Despite their gigantic size, oarfish are filter-feeders. They eat tiny marine organisms such as krill, plankton and small crustaceans, which they strain from the water through their gill rakers. Oarfish are preyed on by larger fish and sharks.
Dunkleosteus. This 33 foot long armored fish from the Devonian era lacked teeth, but its jaw contained razor sharp protrusions of bone that it could use to pierce and cut through its prey.
In traditional Japanese legend, oarfish were known as "ryugu no tsukai" meaning "the messenger from the sea dragon god's palace." People believed oarfish would come up from the deep to warn people when an earthquake was imminent.
Mariana hadal snailfish (Pseudoliparis swirei) have been spotted as deep as 26,831 feet, more than 5 miles below the surface, in the Mariana Trench. This habitat, called the hadal zone, lends its name to the fish. These fish may look like cute tadpoles, but they are the top predators in their habitat.
Oarfish are solitary creatures with a lifespan that can extend up to several decades. Their diet primarily consists of plankton, small fish, and squid. The oarfish's mysterious nature and occasional beaching events continue to intrigue marine biologists and ocean enthusiasts alike.
We have a great deal more to learn about our ocean and what resides within it, but progress IS being made. We learn more and more each year. We continue to discover new features and creatures, clues to our past, and resources that can improve our future. But the ocean will never be fully explored.
The fish, which can grow to 30 feet in length and feed on krill, have typically washed up on beaches when injured or disoriented, according to scientists.
This deep-sea species typically lives at depths of 200 to 1,000 metres and rarely surfaces. In folklore—particularly in Japan—its appearance is believed to signal impending earthquakes or tsunamis, but scientists stress there is no proven link between oarfish sightings and natural disasters.
The giant oarfish partially inspired the origin of legends of the sea serpent. Because of its long body and the rare oarfish sightings, sailors who didn't know what an oarfish was, mistaken the fish as sea serpents from myths and legends.
Of all the curiously uncommon gems Nevada has to offer, the Devils Hole pupfish is the rarest. In fact, it's the rarest fish in the entire world—and it can only be found here in the Silver State. Although there are many different kinds of pupfish, Cyprinodon diabolis has dwindled to between 100-200 specimens.
Since late May to early June 2025, four rare appearances of the oarfish—a deep-sea creature also known as the “doomsday fish”—have been recorded across world waters. First, fishermen in Tamil Nadu, India, caught a massive 30‑foot specimen.
In 2017, Methuselah was unofficially designated as the oldest living aquarium fish following the death of Granddad, another Australian lungfish residing at Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, then estimated to be 95 years old. A later study estimated Granddad to have been 109 years old at the time of his death.
