The ocean sunfish, a creature that can weigh up to two tonnes and is covered in parasites, may not fit the traditional image of a fish. In a recent episode of “The Nature of Things 101,” Sarika Cullis-Suzuki delves into the peculiarities of this unique fish, known as the Mola mola, one of the largest fish in the sea.
Describing the ocean sunfish, Cullis-Suzuki highlights its unconventional features: a massive circular body, lack of a tail, and enormous fins, making it stand out from typical fish species. Through a life-size model, she showcases to co-host Anthony Morgan what makes the Mola mola fascinating yet often underrated.
Despite their ability to travel long distances and dive deep into the ocean multiple times a day in search of food, ocean sunfish are prone to parasites due to their slow movement, large surface area, and varied water column traversals. Cullis-Suzuki notes that parasites infest various parts of the sunfish, including skin, gills, fins, eyeballs, mouth, and intestines, with scientists identifying 73 different parasite species on the Mola mola and other sunfish types, some even hosting parasites themselves.
To combat these parasites, sunfish employ tactics like breaching, jumping out of the water, and slamming back down, potentially to dislodge parasites. Additionally, they allow smaller fish and birds to feed on the parasites infesting them.
Despite the existing knowledge about ocean sunfish, the species remains a subject requiring further investigation. Cullis-Suzuki emphasizes the need for more research to unravel the mysteries surrounding these intriguing creatures.
For those interested in learning more, “The Nature of Things 101” can be watched on CBC Gem or The Nature of Things YouTube channel.