Doomsday fish: what is this creature and why people are afraid to see it

Again and again reports appear on the network about the appearance of the “doomsday fish” – an oarfish that lives at great depths. 

According to Japanese legends, this rare fish is a harbinger of earthquakes and tsunamis. But is there a scientific basis for such fears?

Oarsman: Giant of the Deep

The paddlefish is the longest bony fish in the world, reaching up to 15 meters in length. Her unusual appearance and rare encounters with people have given rise to many myths and legends, including ancient stories about sea serpents.

< /p>Japanese myth about the “messenger of the sea dragon god”

In Japanese mythology, the paddlefish is known as “ryugu no tsukai” – a messenger from the palace of the sea dragon god. It is believed that these fish rise to the surface to warn people of approaching earthquakes and tsunamis.

Emergence of the myth in modern times

After several devastating earthquakes and tsunamis in the 2010s, this old myth gained popularity again. People began to associate the appearance of paddlefish near the coast with future cataclysms.

Scientific research

Scientists analyzed records of paddlefish sightings and earthquakes during the same time period. The results showed that only one observation could be related to an earthquake. This indicates that the connection between the appearance of this fish and natural cataclysms is unlikely.

Although legends and myths about the “doomsday fish” continue to live, scientific data do not confirm their veracity. The appearance of the paddlefish near the shores is most likely due to natural factors, such as changes in currents or water temperature, rather than future cataclysms.

However, this does not diminish the significance of the paddlefish as a unique and mysterious inhabitant of the oceans. depth that deserves our attention and research.