A rare oarfish, nicknamed the 'doomsday fish' due to historical legends associating it with disaster, was captured on video swimming alive in shallow waters off the coast of Baja California Sur, Mexico. This unusual sighting prompted reactions of awe and concern from the group who filmed the encounter.
A rare oarfish was spotted alive and swimming in the shallow waters of a Baja California Sur beach in Mexico earlier this month. Footage recorded captures the intricate details of the iridescent, ribbon-like fish and its long, wispy red fins. Oarfish can grow to over 30 feet long and inhabit the depths of the ocean, between 660 and 3,300 feet deep.The preferred habitat of the oarfish is the very deep, dark parts of the open ocean.
They rarely surface, perhaps only when dying or disoriented, occasionally washing up on beaches surrounding their home range. Throughout history, legends claimed that seeing an oarfish foreshadowed disaster or destruction, earning the unique-looking fish the nickname 'doomsday fish,' according to Oceana. At least one person in the group that spotted and recorded the oarfish was familiar with its rarity. 'They've almost never been seen live,' he said. 'This is amazing; this is the smallest one I've ever seen.' 'I think it came up here to die,' he added, eliciting saddened groans from the group.One man attempted to guide the fish back into the water, stating that seeing one alive was a 'really important find' and that 'no one's going to believe this.' Video showed the fish continuing to swim in the shallow water, but the group told Storyful that it returned at least three times. This oarfish sighting marks the second rare marine life sighting to make headlines this month. Last week, footage of a deep-sea anglerfish swimming in broad daylight in the Canary Islands went viral. It was possibly the first time the fish had been spotted and reported at such a shallow depth.
Oarfish Doomsday Fish Marine Life Baja California Sur Rare Sighting
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