A giant oarfish was found at the beach of Los Coquitos in northwestern Montecristi. Japanese folkore says the oarfish shows up when there is to be an earthquake, as reported by meteorologist Jean Suriel on his X (Twitter) account. The fish is believed in Japan to be an omen of imminent earthquakes.
The mesmerizing oarfish, recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest fish with a bony skeleton, has made headlines as a group of divers encountered this unique creature near the east coast of Taiwan.
As reported in the India Times, the link between oarfish sightings and seismic events gained traction following the devastating earthquake and tsunami that struck Fukushima in 2011. The uncharacteristic appearance of these deep-sea dwellers in shallow coastal waters further fuels intrigue, explains the reporter for India Times. These very peculiar fish remain hidden from sight due to their preference for very deep waters.
Forbes gives a scientific explanation for why the fish has showed up. Forbes says that research published in 2018 shows more likely it has to do with the El Niño weather phenomenon. During an El Niño time, as is occurring now, the temperature at the surface is several degrees higher than the average, while at deeper depths, where the fish live, the water is cooler than usual. Oarfish feed on plankton and tiny fish, which follow the warmer water as the oarfish follows its preferred food to the surface.
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Jean Suriel Twitter
Hoy
India Times
Forbes
28 November 2023