While kayaking and snorkeling in La Jolla, California, a group of adventurers stumbled upon a rare and fascinating deep-sea creature that had unfortunately passed away. The oarfish, also known as the “doomsday fish,” measured an impressive 12 feet in length. This sighting was particularly noteworthy, as only 20 oarfish have been reported in California since 1901, as noted by the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego. The oarfish, also known as the “doomsday fish,” is characterized by its long and slender body, which can reach lengths of up to 36 feet, comparable to the size of a school bus.
The distinctive nickname of the oarfish, “doomsday fish,” is derived from a belief held by some that its appearances foretell natural disasters such as earthquakes or tsunamis, as stated by the Ocean Conservancy. While these fish have been spotted around Japan coinciding with major seismic events, scientists have yet to establish a definitive link between the oarfish’s sightings and subsequent natural disasters, as reported by FOX Weather.
In a curious turn of events, just two days after the discovery of the deceased oarfish, Los Angeles experienced a 4.6-magnitude earthquake on August 12, according to the US Geological Survey. Oarfish primarily feed on plankton, crustaceans, and squid, filtering them from the water column using specialized gill rakes located in their mouths, according to the Florida Museum of Natural History in Gainesville, Florida.
After the oarfish was found, efforts were made to preserve and study the specimen further. With the assistance of members from the NOAA Fisheries Service and the California Sea Grant team, the deceased fish was transported to the NOAA facility. Experts at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego, shared that scientists from NOAA Southwest Fisheries Science Center and Scripps Oceanography would conduct a necropsy to investigate the cause of death. Subsequently, the oarfish would be relocated to the Scripps Marine Vertebrate Collection at the University of California San Diego. This collection houses an extensive array of over two million alcohol-preserved specimens in more than 120,000 lots, representing a diverse range of over 5,600 fish species.
In another intriguing discovery, a man in Mississippi unearthed a rare mammoth tusk dating back to the Ice Age, adding to the list of extraordinary findings in recent times. Over on social media platform TikTok, a user recounted how American Airlines compensated her for relinquishing her seat on a flight, leading to her video going viral. Meanwhile, a man from Fort Wayne, Indiana achieved another state fishing record by reeling in a prehistoric-looking spotted gar, showcasing the remarkable diversity of nature’s wonders.
Overall, the encounter with the oarfish in La Jolla, California serves as a reminder of the mysteries and marvels that lie beneath the ocean’s surface. While the oarfish may continue to captivate with its enigmatic presence, scientists work diligently to unravel the secrets of these deep-sea dwellers and their potential connections to the natural world around us.
