Overview

• The mid-June sighting in Tamil Nadu follows confirmed oarfish discoveries in Australia, New Zealand and Mexico’s ja CaCalifornia Sur over the past month.
• Oarfish typically dwell 600 to 3,000 feet below sea level and surface only when they are sick, dying or disoriented.
• Folklore in Japan and other coastal regions holds that oarfish surfacing predicts earthquakes, yet scientists find no evidence of a direct link.
• Researchers are probing whether rising ocean temperatures, pollution and deep-sea mining are disturbing oarfish habitats and driving them toward shore.
• Measuring up to 30 feet long, these ribbon-like fish are the longest bony species but pose no threat to humans.