Ocean Sunfish

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.

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!

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.

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.

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!