The word "halibut" means "holy flatfish" (hali=holy + butte=flatfish) because it was only eaten on holy days. These fish, like all ocean sunfishes, appear as if their bodies have been somehow truncated leaving them little more than a large head punctuated with set of long dorsal and anal fins sweeping it along like a pair of vertical parentheses. Studies have shown that they possess the capability of swimming at speeds of 2 mph and can cover up to 16 miles in a day. They are related to pufferfish, porcupinefish and boxfish. Ocean Sunfish Facts and Information Mola mola Introduction to Ocean Sunfish. "The fact that ocean sunfish utilise birds to rid them of parasites is actually quite clever," says the biologist. When dead, they are found lying ocean surfaces. [5] Most fish reproduce by laying eggs, though some fish, such as great white sharks, give birth to live babies called pups. By Karin Lehnardt, Senior Writer. Some Interesting Facts about Ocean Sunfish. Here are five interesting facts about them: These huge fish grow up to 4 metres long and can weigh up to 2.3 tonnes, making them the heaviest bony fish in the world. The most common and widespread of ocean sunfish in the northern hemisphere is Mola mola. Published December 16, 2016 Updated August 3, 2019. 15 types of ocean sunfish and freshwater sunfish that I will share to you today may help you to know the species of sunfish family. [6] Lungfish can live out of water for several years. The fish are likelier to spend more time on the surface of the ocean at night. The Ocean sunfish (Mola mola, also called the mola or sun fish) is a large ocean fish found in warm and temperate oceans. The Ocean Sunfish is considered to be the heaviest of all bony fish in the world. We detail a few more unique and noteworthy facts about these fishes: The brain size is as small as a nut despite their huge built. Ocean sunfish can become so infested with skin parasites, they will often invite small fish or even birds to feast on the pesky critters. These species are difficult to train and hence there are very few aquariums that house this fish. Unlike most… It has an almost circular, flattened body.
It is also referred to as the Common Mola. Ocean sunfish prefer to spend their days in deep waters, especially in warmer waters such as in the Gulf of Mexico. This unusual fish swims by flapping its long pectoral and dorsal fins; the caudal fin is used as a rudder (for steering).
They are often mistaken for Pufferfish. 63 Fun Fish Facts. The adult males can weigh about 2,200 pounds with the females typically around 1,800 pounds. Today I want to write about a truly amazing fish, the ocean sunfish. The body is less than twice as long as it is deep.