Two fishermen have recently caught a rare ‘doomsday fish’, notable for its peculiar head shape, making headlines due to its unusual appearance and size.
While fish are commonly found in the ocean, this particular catch stands out significantly due to its unique characteristics.
This distinctive fish was captured off the coast of Melville Island, part of the Tiwi Islands, and has earned the nickname ‘doomsday fish’, a moniker that suggests its extraordinary nature.
This enormous creature was caught by Curtis Peterson, during a nighttime fishing session with Tiwi Islands Adventures.
The catch has gained widespread attention after it was shared on the Fishing Australia TV Facebook page earlier in the week.
A photograph of the fish was also posted on Reddit, where users shared their reactions.
One user noted, “That fish looks straight out of a sci-fi movie!” while another expressed, “I will always think it’s wrong to see people proudly pose with dead animals, especially when they’re rare.”
A third user commented, “I’ve never seen anything like this before, what a fascinating creature!”
Despite being dubbed the ‘doomsday fish’, it is believed to be an Oarfish, a species known for its elusive nature.
Oarfish are found worldwide but usually inhabit depths of up to 1,000 meters, making sightings extremely rare.
Often discovered dead on the shore, these fish are rarely seen alive, highlighting the rarity of such an encounter.
NT News fishing columnist Alex Julius remarked on the unusual catch, stating: “It’s the first time I’ve ever heard someone land a fish like that up here. It’s also very rare to land one of these fish, most being found washed up ashore already deceased.”
The ‘doomsday fish’ nickname may seem like an internet invention, but it has roots in ancient folklore.
Business Standard notes that the term emerged due to Oarfish sightings often preceding natural disasters in countries such as Japan.