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Album: This is a private album that is not visible to anonymous users Ocean sunfish

Summary: The ocean sunfish, Mola mola, is the heaviest known bony fish in the world. Adults average 6 feet in length and weigh approximately 2,200 pounds, and the heaviest known fish reached just over 5,000 pounds. Ocean sunfish are found in tropical and temperate waters worldwide. This unusual looking fish is flattened laterally and can often be found basking on the surface of the water. Sunfish feed primarily on jellyfish, and must consume a large volume to attain such large body sizes.

Although Southwest Fisheries Science Center does not do any direct research on ocean sunfish, they are occasionally encountered during our research cruises. When this occurs, their length and width are measured, and they are sometimes tagged to learn more about their movements.

For more information visit the Large Pelagics Program of the Fisheries Resources Division.

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