Rare oarfish capture reignites doomsday predictions
Fishermen in Tamil Nadu just hauled in a rare oarfish—sometimes called the "doomsday fish" because of old legends linking it to disasters.
But don't worry: scientists say there's no need to panic.
Why this global phenomenon?
This isn't just a local thing. Oarfish have popped up recently in places like Tasmania and Mexico, sparking curiosity since they usually live deep underwater and rarely come near the surface.
No link between oarfish and disasters
A big 2019 study looked at hundreds of oarfish sightings and found no link to earthquakes or other disasters.
Researchers say these giant fish come up mainly due to illness or stress—not as some kind of warning sign.
Why more oarfish are appearing near coastlines
More oarfish are being spotted near coastlines because climate change is shaking up ocean conditions—think warmer waters and changing currents.
So if you see one, it's less about "doomsday" and more about our oceans going through some big changes.