Animal Profiles
Fish

Mola mola (Ocean Sunfish)

Mola mola

Living

Living individuals or members of this group exist today. This does not mean they are safe from extinction.

The ocean sunfish has a deep rounded body that appears abruptly shortened at the rear. Tall dorsal and anal fins propel this unusual marine fish through temperate and tropical waters.

Ocean sunfish (Mola mola), the representative described here.

Ocean sunfish (Mola mola), the representative described here.

At a glance

Location
This account follows Mola mola while recognising that older worldwide records can include other sunfish species. Open water is its main habitat, but it can approach coastal reefs and kelp areas.
Habitat
Open ocean, Coast
Diet
Carnivore
Food
Gelatinous animals and other marine prey enter the diet.

Classification

Common name
Mola mola (Ocean Sunfish)
Browse group
Fish
Scientific name or taxon
Mola mola
Taxon rank
species
Order
Tetraodontiformes
Family
Molidae
Genus
Mola
Source classification
Actinopterygii

Taxonomy checked against GBIF. For breeds and hybrids, this describes the listed parent taxon.

Three things to know

  • It lacks a conventional adult tail fin.
  • Dorsal and anal fins propel it.
  • It can visit cleaning stations.

Habitat and range

This account follows Mola mola while recognising that older worldwide records can include other sunfish species. Open water is its main habitat, but it can approach coastal reefs and kelp areas.

Appearance and adaptations

The body is compressed from side to side. Instead of a conventional tail fin, adults have a rounded rear structure called the clavus. Dorsal and anal fins provide most propulsion.

Diet and behaviour

Gelatinous animals and other marine prey enter the diet. Sunfish can visit cleaning stations where fishes remove parasites. Older claims that all sunfish eat almost exclusively jellyfish should not be applied as a complete diet description.

Sources

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