Doomsday is upon us, at least that's what some people think following the discovery of a rare fish off the coast of California.

What Is A Doomsday Fish?

The oarfish has been given the nickname "doomsday fish" by some who believe the creature portends unfortunate events.

According to Yahoo, it is a popular belief in Japanese culture that the presence of an oarfish in shallow waters means a natural disaster such as an earthquake or tsunami is imminent. The article states "the oarfish is revered as 'Messenger From The Sea God's Palace' and has gained a reputation as a harbinger of impending doom."

Bank's Oarfish
Getty Images
loading...

One of the most notable instances of descending doom after a fish sighting was a massive earthquake rumbling the Philippines in 2017. Six oarfish were spotted in the area just prior to that according to National Geographic.

The oarfish are also known for their length with some growing up to 30-feet long.

How Rare Are Doomsday Fish In The U.S.?

The most recent doomsday fish spotting came via kayakers and snorkelers off the coast in Southern California. CBS News reported the fish, which was dead by the time if was discovered, measured approximately 12 feet in length.

Dead Oarfish 'Sea Serpent' washes ashore on a beach in Mexico
Getty Images/iStockphoto
loading...

Researchers who track sightings in the U.S. told CBS News that only 20 oarfish have washed up in California since 1901.

According to NBC News, a 13.5-foot oarfish last washed ashore on a southern California island in 2015. No specific "doom" was attributed to that fish spotting, although it also was dead by the time it was found in California.

When Was The Last Time A Doomsday Fish Was Discovered?

According to NextShark.com, divers spotted a giant oarfish off the northeast coast of Taiwan last summer.

Divers estimated the fish, which was found in shallow waters, measured 6-feet long.

Next Shark explains that oarfish "are deep-dwelling species that typically inhabit the mesopelagic zone, a region situated between 200 meters (approximately 658 feet) to 1,000 meters (approximately 3,280 feet) below the ocean's surface."

READ MORE: Every State Where It's Illegal To Own An Adorable Axolotl As A Pet

The fish might have taken a detour while out for a swim, or there might be a more serious reason it was nowhere near deep waters.

We'll have to wait to see if the most recent oarfish spotting will lead turn into catastrophe or remain folklore.

LOOK: The most expensive weather and climate disasters in recent decades

Stacker ranked the most expensive climate disasters by the billions since 1980 by the total cost of all damages, adjusted for inflation, based on 2021 data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The list starts with Hurricane Sally, which caused $7.3 billion in damages in 2020, and ends with a devastating 2005 hurricane that caused $170 billion in damage and killed at least 1,833 people. Keep reading to discover the 50 of the most expensive climate disasters in recent decades in the U.S.

Gallery Credit: KATELYN LEBOFF

LOOK: The most extreme temperatures in the history of every state

Stacker consulted 2021 data from the NOAA's State Climate Extremes Committee (SCEC) to illustrate the hottest and coldest temperatures ever recorded in each state. Each slide also reveals the all-time highest 24-hour precipitation record and all-time highest 24-hour snowfall.

Keep reading to find out individual state records in alphabetical order.

Gallery Credit: Anuradha Varanasi