Unique traits

Sunfish develop their bullet-like shape because the back fin which they are born with simply never grows. Instead, it folds into itself as the enormous creature matures, creating a rounded rudder called a clavus. Mola being the scientific name are found in temperate and tropical oceans around the world. They are frequently seen basking in the sun near the surface and are often mistaken for sharks when their huge dorsal fins emerge above the water.

Movement & threats to survival

They move awkwardly in the water, wriggling their massive anal and dorsal fins and using their clavus for steering. Though they will also consume little fish, massive amounts of zooplankton, and algae, jellyfish are their preferred meal. Although they are not harmful to humans, they frequently approach divers out of curiosity. Its population is thought to be in a vulnerable state and has a decreasing population trend. Sunfish are often entangled in drift gill nets and may choke on marine debris, such as plastic bags, which mimic the appearance of jellyfish.

Mola fish are the largest bony fish, with some growing up to 4m tall and 3m wide, weighing almost 2.5 tons. When at a height of roughly 1.7m their skins thickness can be 15cm in width already. Ocean sunfish can get heavily infested with skin parasites, leading them to attract small fish or birds to feed on them. They may even leap up to 3m above the water and splash down to rid themselves of the parasites. They spend most of their time at depths between 300m and all the way down to 1000m but will often come up to the surface for basking.