Ocean Sunfish

Mola mola

Also known as: Common Mola, Giant Sunfish, Headfish, Mola Ocean Sunfish, Moonfish, Sunfish

ALSO KNOWN AS

Common Mola
Giant Sunfish
Headfish
Mola Ocean Sunfish
Moonfish
Sunfish

VUVulnerableIUCN Red List, 2015

Add a photo

master scientist fish? — Ocean Sunfish adult, photographed at paternoster, South Africa — @gazza777 · paternoster, South Africa · August 20121 / 3

Overview

Found singly or in pairs, over slopes close to very deep water, usually in the open, coming close to shore for cleaning stations. Can be found drifting on their sides or actively swimming.
A shy fish but can be attracted to divers.
Juveniles resemble spiky pufferfish.

This is the heaviest bony fish sometimes weighing upwards of 1000kg!
It also looks like half a fish because it's back fin never really grows!
Often seen near the surface busking in the sun "hence its name"
Sort after by the Japanese and expensive to buy!

How to identify

COLOURS

Pattern: lines
Behaviour: approaches divers drifting open water pairs shy solitary

Tap any trait to see other fish that share it.

Habitat & where to find it

Range · Circumtropical
Country only · 3

LIVES IN

Found singly or in pairs, over slopes close to very deep water, usually in the open, coming close to shore for cleaning stations.

RANGE

Circumtropical

Adult photos 3

Discussion 1

1 comment

Glynn Andersen· 28 Jun 2014
Found at Binningup Beach Western Australia. Washed ashore appeared to have been scraped by a rock or boat. Recently dead as was still bleeding. Never seen on this beach by us before.
Helpful· 1