Molidae
The ocean sunfish (Mola mola) is a species of fish that is native to temperate and tropical waters around the world. It is the heaviest known bony fish in the world, with individuals reaching weights up to 2,200 lbs (1,000 kg)!
It has a flattened and disc-like body and a large tail fin. They have a silvery-white coloring and are covered in small scales.
The ocean sunfish also has unique reproductive behavior, as they are considered to be iteroparous, meaning they can produce multiple batches of eggs throughout their lifetime.
The ocean sunfish is primarily found in temperate and tropical waters around the world. It inhabits both the open ocean, as well as shallow coastal areas.
It is a slow-swimming species and can often be seen sunning itself on the surface of the water, using the warmth of the sun to regulate its body temperature. It is also known to migrate long distances.
The diet of an ocean sunfish consists mainly of jellyfish, but they also consume small fish, crustaceans, and squid.
Sunfish are migratory and can be found in the open ocean, but they are also known to visit shallow coastal areas. They are slow-swimming fish, and primarily feed near the surface.
They are often seen sunning themselves on the surface of the water, using the warmth of the sun to regulate their body temperature.
The ocean sunfish family, Molidae, is composed of two genera and four species. These species are:
- Mola mola, the common ocean sunfish
- Mola ramsayi, the slender sunfish
- Masturus lanceolatus, the sharptail mola
- Ranzania laevis, the smooth sunfish
