A Serpent from the Deep: The Truth Behind the Giant Oarfish

Every so often, the ocean reveals a creature so strange and majestic that it feels like something from legend. One such creature is the Giant Oarfish — the longest bony fish in the world and the likely inspiration for centuries of sea serpent myths.

This mysterious deep-sea animal can grow over 11 meters (36 feet) in length. With a shimmering silver body, red fins that run the length of its form, and a ribbon-like motion as it swims, the oarfish truly looks like a creature from another world. Normally, it lives deep in the ocean, far from human eyes — at depths of up to 1,000 meters (over 3,000 feet).

But when it rises near the surface, people take notice.

In Japan, the oarfish is known as “Ryugu no tsukai” — a messenger from the Sea God’s palace. For generations, people have believed that the appearance of an oarfish near shore is a sign of a coming earthquake or tsunami. While there is no scientific proof of this, sightings have continued to fuel curiosity and mystery around the creature.

Despite its appearance, the oarfish is harmless. It feeds on small animals like plankton and jellyfish, floating peacefully through the water column. It’s rarely caught or seen alive, but when it is, it sparks amazement and awe.

In 2020 and 2023, multiple oarfish sightings in Asia reignited fascination with this deep-sea giant. Whether a symbol, a warning, or simply a remarkable example of nature’s imagination, the Giant Oarfish reminds us of how little we still know about the world beneath the waves.

As science continues to uncover the secrets of the deep, one thing is certain: the ocean still holds stories that feel like myths — and the oarfish is one of its most beautiful.