Everything you need to know about the ocean sunfish: its diet, reproduction, and the reasons for its rarity.

scientifically known as Mola mola, is also referred to by various names, with one of the most common being the Mola and moonfish.

Let’s learn more about it from teketrek.

Facts about The Ocean Sunfish

Belonging to the class of bony fish, family Molidae, the Ocean Sunfish is also classified as a pelagic fish and is distinguished by its massive size, often larger than that of an adult human.

The name “Ocean Sunfish” is derived from its habit of resting at night and basking in the sun during the day above the waves.

The Ocean Sunfish has a circular body resembling a bullet shape, attributed to its possession of a rear fin that never grows.

This gives it the appearance of being half a fish.

Its skin is rough and silver in color, with a mouth and front teeth that resemble a beak.

The Ocean Sunfish has a mucous lining that covers its digestive system, providing protection against the stings of sea jellies.

The vertebral column of the Ocean Sunfish consists of a few vertebrae, giving it a relatively shorter length compared to its body.

The Ocean Sunfish is not favored by fishermen due to its foul-smelling flesh.

It does not fully close its mouth but leaves it slightly open.

The Ocean Sunfish is known to jump up to 3 meters in the air and then dive back down to rid itself of parasites.

It has the ability to change its color completely from light to dark, especially when under attack.

The Ocean Sunfish requires assistance in getting rid of parasites, with some other fish and marine birds aiding in feeding on these parasites.

The Ocean Sunfish specification:

Size:
its immense size

Weight:
reaching weights of up to approximately 1000 kg

Length:
lengths of around 3.5 meters.

Mouth:
It possesses a very small mouth

Eyes:
large eyes that are almost engulfed by its large body, along with a truncated tail that distinguishes it from other fish species.

Habitats of the Ocean Sunfish:

The native habitat of the Ocean Sunfish is in temperate waters as well as tropical waters across all the world’s oceans.

The Ocean Sunfish can be found in the Monterey Bay Aquarium, which is the only aquarium that houses Ocean Sunfish.

What does the Ocean Sunfish eat?

The Ocean Sunfish feeds on small fish and some types of zooplankton in large quantities.

Jellyfish is the preferred food of the Ocean Sunfish, and it also consumes algae.

Reproductive Stages of the Ocean Sunfish:

The Ocean Sunfish is known for laying a huge number of eggs. One study found 300 million eggs in one egg-laying location.

Despite the large number of eggs, not all of them are capable of hatching.

The Ocean Sunfish eggs are small like pinheads, and the emerging larvae look like small pointed dots. Each larva is three millimeters long, and when they reach 1-2 centimeters in length, the pointed ends contract, and these creatures take on a disc shape.

This embryo grows in the egg and develops into small larvae with teeth and a tail. Shortly after hatching, the spines and tail disappear, and they become fully grown fish.

The Ocean Sunfish reaches sexual maturity at the age of 5 to 7 years.

Main Threats Facing the Ocean Sunfish:

Water Pollution:
Water pollution is a significant threat to the life of the Ocean Sunfish due to suffocation from plastic bags.

Targeted by Fishermen:
As this fish is a favorite food in many countries, it is heavily targeted by fishermen. Japan is one of the countries that consume Ocean Sunfish extensively.

Bycatch:
The Ocean Sunfish faces bycatch due to its frequent presence near the sea surface. Despite being returned to the ocean, some do not survive.

FAQ

Are ocean sunfish aggressive?
Molas are not dangerous or aggressive.

Is ocean sunfish good to eat?
The flesh of the ocean sunfish is considered a delicacy in certain regions, with the largest markets found in Taiwan and Japan.

Why is the sunfish so special?
Part of the ocean sunfish’s appeal, or Mola mola, lies in its unique shape. It holds the title of the heaviest bony fish in the world.

Are sunfish harmful?
Despite their size, sunfish don’t pose a threat to humans

Can you touch ocean sunfish?
If a Mola mola approaches you, remain still and avoid touching it. Contact can remove the protective mucus layer that shields it from infection. Additionally, avoid using flash photography, as it can disturb the fish.


How fast is a sunfish?
2 mph.

In conclusion, it is important to emphasize the significance of this fish species in maintaining ecological balance. We hope that our article has provided you with useful information, valuable facts, and amazing details about it. Given its stunning appearance, keeping it in fish tanks can be enjoyable if they have enough space. Since providing them with natural food is impossible, specialists provide them with enriched nutrition through special injections.

References

Wikipedia