What do sunfish look like?

These unusual fish have round to oval-shaped, flat bodies with a fan-shaped tail fin (except the aptly named Sharp Tailed Mola), very small, round pectoral fins on their sides and long, triangular dorsal and anal fins which they flap from side to side for propulsion. They vary in size hugely, from 2.5mm as a freshly hatched larva, to the largest ocean sunfish which can reach 4 metres fin to fin! Although mostly silvery-grey, sunfish can be a variety of colours, including shades of green, blue, purple, and yellow. Some species have distinctive patterns or markings on their bodies.

Sunfish are generally non-aggressive and may feed on a variety of small fish and invertebrates such as krill, plankton, and squid; but jellyfish make up the largest part of their diet. The specific diet of a sunfish can vary depending on the species and the availability of food in its habitat.

How long do sunfish live?

A lot is still unknown about sunfish and much more research needs to be done to find out more about their lives. Although the general consensus is that they live to around 20 years old, some scientists are starting to speculate that they could live to be over 100!

Are sunfish endangered?

It is difficult to estimate the total population of sunfish worldwide, as different species have different ranges and habitats. Some species of sunfish, such as the ocean sunfish (Mola mola), are found in many parts of the world and are not considered to be endangered. However, other species of sunfish, such as the slender mola (Ranzania laevis), are rare and are considered to be vulnerable or endangered.

What is the habitat of a sunfish?

Sunfish can be found in a variety of habitats, including shallow coastal waters, estuaries, and rivers. They are found in many parts of the world, including the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. Sunfish are generally found in warm, tropical or subtropical waters, although some species can tolerate cooler temperatures.

How do sunfish reproduce?

Sunfish reproduce through spawning where the females release eggs and the male releases sperm into the water. The ocean sunfish can release up to 300 million eggs at one time – that’s more than any other vertebrate living today!

Ocean Sunfish

Ocean Sunfish are seen around Cornwall's coastline during warmer months but are known to come close inshore and be seen from the Cornish coastline

About Ocean Sunfish

Scientific Name: Mola mola

Ocean Sunfish can be found in the waters around Cornwall, England. These disc-shaped fish have round, flat bodies and, in tropical waters, can grow to be about 11 feet in length. In Cornish water, they are typically seen up to the size of a dustbin lid.. Sunfish are known for their distinctive shape and for their ability to swim in a vertical position. They can be found in a variety of habitats, including shallow coastal waters, estuaries, and rivers.

Ocean Sunfish are generally peaceful and non-aggressive, and they typically feed on small fish and invertebrates. They are an important part of the marine ecosystem and play a vital role in the food chain

How to identify this species:

Can reach up to 10 foot across! However, the ones we see in Cornwall are about the size of a dustbin lid.
Distinctive disc-shaped body and no true tail.
Tall, triangular dorsal fin, which often waves above the surface

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20 years

Average Lifespan

Jellyfish

Diet

Unknown

Population

Did you know?

Ocean Sunfish are the heaviest bony fish in the world. The heaviest known sunfish weighed over 2,200 kg (4,800 lbs)

How often do you see Ocean Sunfish on a boat trip?

Ocean Sunfish can be spotted fairly regularly during the warmer summer months from about June to August; although we have had sightings as late in the year as October. We can never guarantee to sight a sunfish on a trip, but they are fairly easy to spot if they are around as they often wave their dorsal fin side to side above the surface while they warm themselves after feeding in the deep, colder water. They are even known to breach clear out of the water, perhaps in an attempt to knock parasites off their skin. Our boat trips are a truly magical experience, especially with the amount of Cornish marine wildlife around our coastline – you never know what you might see!

FAQs about Ocean Sunfish

More of cornwall's amazing sealife...

Padstow Sealife Safaris give you the chance to get up close and personal with these fascinating creatures. Depending on the time of year that you choose to visit, you’ll have the chance to see a number of different species.

Ocean Sunfish

About Ocean Sunfish

How to identify this species:

20 years

Jellyfish

Unknown

Did you know?

How often do you see Ocean Sunfish on a boat trip?

FAQs about Ocean Sunfish

More of cornwall's amazing sealife...

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Harbour Porpoise

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