Over the last few months, three examples of a most enigmatic and unusual oarfish washed ashore in Tasmania, at Aromoana, and Birdlings Flat, causing an immediate spike in interest. Was this a sign that a major earthquake was imminent? Are we in for a bumper herring harvest… both?! That is what Andrew was asked by reporters from the Christchurch Press and The Guardian. Here, curators Andrew Stewart and Thom Linley break down the science of the oarfish.
So is the oarfish a harbinger of doom?
Long story short: No.
Humans have always sought signs and patterns in the world around them. Extraordinary events are often linked to extraordinary signs, mainly because both tend to remain in the mind so vividly. If one were to encounter a real-life sea serpent, with its shimmering iridescent body the length of four adults and a red, crown-like crest, it must signify something. In the Northern Atlantic, these creatures symbolise a good herring harvest, earning them the title King of the Herring, which is the origin of their scientific name, Regalecus.
Conversely, injuring one would result in a poor catch. In the more seismically active Pacific, they are regarded as a harbinger of doom. This is traditional Japanese lore where its name, ryugu no tsuki, means ‘messenger from the sea dragons god’s palace’ as they were believed to come ashore before an earthquake.
Oarfish are the world’s longest bony fish, reaching up to 8 m long (some accounts say 11 m), and they always create a stir when found. In addition to their incredible length, these fish are also quite beautiful: the head and body have a mirror finish with blue and purple iridescence over the head, black patterns of spots and short stripes along the body, and brilliant crimson fins.
The fin rays on the head form a large crest, while the pelvic fins are extremely long, comprising a single thickened ray that ends in a flattened paddle-like structure. The head features a peculiar vertically pointed mouth that can shoot forward to scoop up its preferred prey, schooling crustaceans.
Despite their striking appearance, oarfish are quite fragile. Their flesh is watery, and their skeleton is extremely thin, about as thick as the walls of an ice cream container. Strength comes from the crenulated bones. This saves weight, allowing oarfish to thrive in the open ocean while minimising the energy required to maintain their position in the water column.
With increasing instances of open-water diving, oarfish have now been filmed in their natural habitat, swimming vertically. They propel themselves forwards and backwards by rippling their long dorsal fin. Their colouration hides the massive fish in plain sight. When viewed from above, the black along their snout blends into the dark water behind them.
The silvery body reflects light at the same wavelength as the water behind them, and the dark patterns mimic the rippling effect created by sunlight filtering through the water. Their long pelvic fins extend from the body as if they are ‘rowing themselves’ – leading to the name oarfish. Their fragility means that getting too close to shore can lead to fatal encounters with the surf.
Sadly, beach-cast oarfish don’t last very long as seagulls (dump chickens), never ones to pass up a free meal, quickly get stuck in, especially the head.
Birth of a toothless legend
The oarfish is also thought to be the source of the legend of the sea serpent. With its massive eyes, incredible length, and striking appearance, along with its tendency to suddenly appear and disappear, it’s easy to see how this myth originated. In reality, oarfish have virtually no teeth, just a few small ones on the roof of their mouth.
This is all very interesting, but you must be wondering if you’re doomed or not. In 2019, a paper was published in the Journal of Seismology by four Japanese scientists that found no correlation between earthquakes and the strandings of oarfish. Nevertheless, this is one bit of clickbait that keeps rolling around with every stranding. The fish is too striking, their appearances too mysterious, for us to believe they don’t mean something…
Great post! Oarfish are so beautiful and unique looking, one can totally see the ‘sea serpent’ origin vibe too