The ocean sunfish, an unusual creature with a weight of up to two tonnes and covered in parasites, including its eyeballs, may not match the typical image of a fish. In a detailed exploration on The Nature of Things 101, Sarika Cullis-Suzuki delves into the unique characteristics of what could be considered the world’s most peculiar fish.
Describing the Mola mola, a type of ocean sunfish and one of the largest fish in the sea, Cullis-Suzuki highlights its distinctive features such as its circular body, lack of a traditional tail, and enormous fins. Through a life-size model demonstration, Cullis-Suzuki showcases to co-host Anthony Morgan the underrated aspects of the Mola mola.
Despite their ability to travel long distances and swim deep in the ocean multiple times daily for food, these slow-moving fish are prone to parasites due to their large surface area and movement through various water zones. Cullis-Suzuki reveals that parasites infest every part of the sunfish, from the skin to the eyes, gills, and even the intestines, with scientists identifying 73 different parasite species on the Mola mola and other ocean sunfish varieties.
To combat these parasites, sunfish employ tactics like breaching, jumping out of the water and slamming back down, possibly to dislodge the parasites. Additionally, they allow smaller fish and birds to feed on the parasites as a form of natural pest control.
Despite the existing knowledge about the ocean sunfish, there is still much unknown about this species, emphasizing the need for further research according to Cullis-Suzuki. For those interested in learning more, The Nature of Things 101 can be watched on CBC Gem or The Nature of Things YouTube channel.
