The Sunfish, also known as the Mola Mola, is a large and distinctive fish in oceans worldwide. It is known for its ʙɪᴢᴀʀʀᴇ appearance, with a flat, circular ʙᴏᴅʏ and a protruding sɴᴏᴜt that resembles a ʙᴇᴀᴋ.
The Sunfish, one of the world’s heaviest fish, can grow up to 4.2 meters (14 feet) vertically and three meters (10 feet) horizontally, weighing up to nearly 5,000 lbs.
Despite its size, the Sunfish is a gentle and ʜᴀʀᴍʟᴇss creature that feeds mainly on jellyfish and other small animals.
Its strange appearance is thought to be an adaptation to its diet, allowing it to maneuver better in the water as it searches for food.
Fellow tourists Tim Rothman and James Barham were equally surprised to see the fish and reckoned it looked like an alien. I can see what they mean, to be honest.
In An Interview With The Geelong Advertiser, Tim Said:
“We were walking along and saw this big lump on the sand. I’ve never seen anything like that before. It looked like an alien from a distance.”
It also looks like an alien in those close-up photos, to tell you the truth, Tim.
Ocean sunfish usually live in temperate and tropical oceans around the world, and – as the name suggests – they can often be seen near the surface of the water basking in the sunshine.
The recent sighting of a Sunfish on the Victorian coast has caused quite a sensation among locals and tourists alike. Many people have never seen such a bizarre-looking fish before, and the Sunfish’s otherworldly appearance has led many to describe it as looking like something from outer space.
The Sunfish Is An Essential Part Of The Marine Ecosystem
While the Sunfish is not a common sight in the waters around Victoria, it is not unheard of.
The fish is known to migrate to warmer waters during the summer months, and it is believed that the recent sighting resulted from one of these migrations.
Despite its unusual appearance, the Sunfish is essential to the marine ecosystem.
Its jellyfish diet ʜᴇʟᴘs ᴋᴇᴇᴘ these creatures’ populations in ᴄʜᴇᴄᴋ, and the fish itself serves as ᴘʀᴇʏ for larger ᴘʀᴇᴅᴀtᴏʀs such as sharks and ᴋɪʟʟᴇʀ whales.
For those lucky enough to spot a Sunfish in the wild, it is an unforgettable experience.
Its strange appearance and gentle demeanor make it a fascinating creature to observe, and the recent sighting on the Victorian coast is a reminder of the incredible diversity of life that can be found in our oceans.
