Ocean Sunfish
As the world's heaviest bony fish, the Ocean Sunfish is one of the strangest fish in the sea: two large rudder-like fins propel it's nearly circular body through the water, and it's expressive eyes and permanently opened mouth give it a distinctive look: in fact, it's known in German as "Swimming Head," and in French, as "Moon Fish." Relatives include the triggerfish and the pufferfish.
Encounters
Weighing up to two tons, the Ocean Sunfish are open ocean dwellers, living in seas worldwide, and are seasonal creatures in certain oceans of the world; (Bali, Indonesia; Monterey Bay, California) they enjoy basking at the surface and hanging around floating debris in the open ocean. Though shy, careful snorkelers can approach Ocean Sunfish who are inquisitive and curious.
Scientific Name:
Mola Mola
Diet:
Jellyfish and other small slow swimming prey like crustaceans, squid and algae
Facts:
while preferring the open ocean, Ocean Sunfish are often spotted near kelp beds in temperate and tropical waters;
can weigh up to 2,300 kilos (5,000 pounds);
can grow up to 3.4 meters (11 feet);
their skin can be 15 centimeters (6 inches) thick;
Ocean Sunfish are often preyed upon by sea lions and sharks;
with the shortest spinal cord of all fish, a 7 foot Ocean Sunfish has just one inch of spine (it's brain is bigger);
females may carry as many as 300 million eggs
Research and Conservation Agencies:
CSU Long Beach Tracking Program
http://www.csulb.edu/web/labs/sharklab/students/current/dan/flash/project_mola.htmlOcean Sunfish
Assist With Ocean Sunfish Reasearch: