The ominous return of Australia's mysterious 'doomsday fish'
A disturbing discovery was made by fishermen participating in night fishing off the coast of Melville Island in Australia. The two men caught an animal known locally as the "doomsday fish" because it tends to appear just before catastrophes.
In recent weeks, Australian media have been abuzz with the incredible catch by two fishermen from the Northern Territory. During one of their night expeditions, they managed to catch one of the rarest and most seldom-seen deep-sea fish. The unique appearance of the animal underscores just how unusual this catch is.
This fish, approximately 11 metres long, typically resides at oceanic depths roughly 1,000 metres below the surface. Its body has adapted to the harsh conditions on the ocean floor, featuring a long, eel-like form and, most notably, a large jaw reminiscent of a horse's.
Its appearance is completed by eyes the size of plates. However, this is not the only reason the fish's appearance evokes fear. Local fishermen have known it since medieval times, as records show that dead specimens of this kind began washing ashore during that era. Over time, it was noted that this occurrence is usually linked to certain events.
They caught the "doomsday fish"
The appearance of the "doomsday fish" near people is almost always associated with the arrival of a deadly cataclysm. This was also the case the last time in 2011, when dead deep-sea fish were washed ashore and, just a few weeks later, Japan was struck by an earthquake that claimed the lives of 15,899 people.
Because deep-sea fish have appeared near people before cataclysms, they are considered harbingers of bad news. Consequently, the local community has nicknamed them the "doomsday fish." Legend holds that anyone who sees it is receiving a sign from a higher power about impending danger.
