The Doomsday Fish has returned. 5 giant Oarfish washed up in Japan today, sparking fears of a mega-earthquake. Discover the Doomsday Fish meaning and science here
By TheLastUpdates Editorial Team | December 24, 2025
It is a legend that goes back centuries, and today, it has the internet terrified. When the Doomsday Fish rises to the surface, the earth is about to shake.
Usually, spotting just one of these creatures scientifically known as the Giant Oarfish is a once-in-a-lifetime event. They live in the “Twilight Zone” of the ocean, thousands of feet deep. But this morning, residents of Toyama Bay in Japan woke up to a scene straight out of a disaster movie. Five massive Doomsday Fish were found beached within a single mile of coastline.
With social media trending the hashtag #Omen2025, everyone is asking the same question: Is the “Big One” coming?
The Doomsday Fish Meaning Explained
To understand the panic, you have to understand the folklore. In Japanese mythology, this creature is known as Ryugu no tsukai the “Messenger from the Sea God’s Palace.” The Doomsday Fish meaning is simple and terrifying: it surfaces to warn humans of impending seismic doom.
The myth isn’t without history.
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2011: Dozens of Doomsday Fish washed ashore in the months leading up to the devastating Tohoku earthquake and tsunami.
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2024: Two were spotted just days before the Noto Peninsula quake.
Now, with five appearing simultaneously in December 2025, the superstition feels heavier than ever.
The Science: Can the Doomsday Fish Predict Earthquakes?
We asked marine biologist Dr. Aris Thorne to explain if there is any truth to the panic surrounding the Doomsday Fish. The answer might surprise you.
“Deep-sea fish like the Oarfish are incredibly sensitive to active faults,” Dr. Thorne explains. “They live near the sea floor where seismic activity begins. It is theoretically possible that they sense the release of carbon monoxide or electromagnetic changes in the rocks before the quake hits, causing the Doomsday Fish to flee to the surface.”
However, there is another theory: Global Warming. The ocean currents in 2025 are the warmest on record. It is equally likely that these creatures are following warm water currents into shallow bays and getting trapped.
The “Cluster” Anomaly
What makes today’s event different is the cluster. Finding five Doomsday Fish together suggests a mass migration or a mass displacement event in the deep trench.
“I’ve seen one Oarfish in 20 years,” says local fisherman Kaito Tanaka, 54. “To see five? It looks like they were running away from something down there.”
Is the Doomsday Fish a Warning?
The photos from Toyama Bay are undeniable. The creatures, shimmering with silver skin and bright red dorsal fins, look like mythical dragons.
But before you pack your emergency bag, seismologists at the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) have issued a statement. They claim there is no current seismic data indicating a mega-quake. While the biological phenomenon of the Doomsday Fish appearing is rare, it is not a scientific guarantee of geological activity.
Why We Are Obsessed
Why does the Doomsday Fish story go viral every time? Because in an age of AI and space travel, we are still terrified of the ancient monsters in the deep. We want to believe that nature gives us a warning sign.
Whether this is a biological glitch or a genuine warning from the Sea God, one thing is certain: All eyes are now on the ground beneath our feet.
Is this just a fish, or is history repeating itself? If you think 5 giant fish are a bad omen, wait until you read what ancient civilizations predicted for this exact year. The Oarfish might just be the start.
👉 Read Now: [Babylonian Omen Tablets: Ancient Prophecies Predict Doom 2025]