Ocean Sunfish

It has many names in many
languages, but the ocean sunfish vies for the title of strangest fish in
the sea. Its Latin name, Mola mola , means millstone. Recorded up to two
tons, this gentle giant inhabits all tropical and temperate seas.

The ocean sunfish (Mola mola)
is the world’s largest known bony fish (sharks and rays are cartilaginous,
not bony).  At least one estimate over 3000 lb. has been recorded
and individuals reaching 11 ft. (3 m.) from fin tip to fin tip have been
seen. It is found in all oceans in tropical and temperate climes, and is
known to eat gelatinous zooplankton (jellyfish) and probably small fishes
and algae.  In the eastern Pacific, Mola mola is normally found from
British Columbia to South America, although in El Nino events it has been
recorded as far north as Alaska.

Long dorsal and anal fins
are the mola’s principal source of locomotion — they are flapped from
side to side. The caudal fin of the ocean sunfish is quite short and acts
like a rudder.

Molas are often covered with
small parasites, and will approach drift kelp and other flotsam to recruit
small fish (which hide in and below the kelp) to remove these parasites.