According to experts, the oarfish is often associated with being a potential indicator of upcoming earthquakes.
Footage captured of the captivating coast of Ruifang shows divers encircling a shimmery silver critter as it hovers near the surface. In a moment of curiosity, one of the divers extends their hand to make contact with the enigmatic dweller of the deep, which is believed by some to foretell impending doom.
The divers approximated the length of the "earthquake fish" to be about 6-and-a-half feet. This is a significant size, but it is smaller compared to its maximum length of 56 feet — the longest of any bony fish.
Unfortunately, the oarfish's journey into the shallows, although fascinating to witness, may have signaled unfortunate circumstances for the majestic creature.
According to the post of West:
A group of scuba divers had an extraordinary encounter with a remarkable creature known as an oarfish. These fish are extremely rare and are often associated with tales of sea monsters!
The oarfish usually remains hidden in the depths of the ocean and is only seen by humans when it washes up dead on shores.
In this lucky instance, the divers not only witnessed a live oarfish but also had the opportunity to get close enough to touch it. The oarfish holds the title for being the longest bony fish that we know of, and the largest specimen ever recorded measured an impressive 36 feet (11 meters) in length
According to diving instructor Wang Cheng-Ru, this serpentine sea creature was the first of its kind he had encountered throughout his years of scuba diving, as he revealed to Jam Press, “It must have been dying, so it swam into shallower waters,”
Experts believe that the mysterious craters found across the body of the creature were caused by a cookie-cutter shark, a small predator known for taking bites out of larger fish, cetaceans, and even submarines — although the latter is likely a case of mistaken identity.
The unexpected appearance of the oarfish near the surface may be seen as a bad omen according to some locals. These deep-dwelling creatures are typically found between 656 and 3,200 feet below the ocean's surface and are believed by some to be a sign that an earthquake is on the horizon
This belief stems from Japanese mythology, which suggests that the oarfish intentionally emerges and strands itself before an approaching seismic event.
When the Fukushima tsunami struck in 2011, many oarfish were found stranded on the coast in the years leading up to the disaster.
As a result, people had significant concerns. However, experts assert that the notion of oarfish playing a role in predicting earthquakes is unfounded.
Watching the video below:
