A species of fish dubbed the “harbinger of the apocalypse” was discovered in California’s waters just two days before a 4.4 magnitude earthquake shook the region.
Kayakers and divers exploring the Southern California coast encountered an extremely rare opah fish, also known as “apocalypse fish”, as they are considered omens of impending disasters in various parts of the world.
The fish was discovered on August 10, measuring 3.6 meters in length. It was already dead at that time and found near La Jolla Cove. Reports indicate that this species typically resides in deep waters and is only observed near the surface if it is sick, dying, or disoriented.
The 3.6m opah fish discovered two days before the earthquake that shook California. (Photo: Michael Wang/Owyn Snodgrass).
According to Ocean Conservancy, this fish has a chilling nickname because it is believed to be a harbinger of earthquakes or other bad news.
The opah in California was found just two days before a 4.4 magnitude earthquake struck the area and rattled the city of Los Angeles on August 12.
Reports suggest that up to 20 of these fish washed ashore in Japan right before the catastrophic earthquake in 2011.
According to the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego, opah fish have been sighted in this state fewer than 20 times in over 120 years.
Described as a “large, strange fish,” the opah has a long, silver body resembling a ribbon. They can grow up to over 9 meters long, with large eyes and red spines “omen” that crown their heads.
Typically, this species thrives in deep waters and is most abundant in regions least explored by scientists.
Scripps Institution reports that only 20 opah fish have washed up on the California coast since 1901.
The team collaborated with NOAA Fisheries Service, California Sea Grant members, and local rescue staff to transport the fish to a NOAA facility. Scientists from the NOAA Southwest Fisheries Science Center and the Scripps Institution of Oceanography plan to conduct a necropsy to try to determine the cause of its death.
The fish’s remains will later be displayed at the Scripps Marine Vertebrate Collection, one of the largest deep-sea fish collections in the world.