The ocean sunfish, often underestimated for its peculiar appearance, can weigh up to two tonnes and is commonly infested with parasites, including on its eyeballs. In a captivating exploration on The Nature of Things 101, Sarika Cullis-Suzuki delves into the fascinating world of this unique fish.
Describing the ocean sunfish, Cullis-Suzuki highlights its unconventional features, such as its circular body, lack of a tail, and massive fins, challenging traditional fish stereotypes. By showcasing a life-size model, she educates co-host Anthony Morgan on the remarkable characteristics of the Mola mola, a species of ocean sunfish renowned as one of the largest fish in the ocean.
Despite their ability to travel long distances and dive deep into the ocean multiple times a day in search of food, ocean sunfish are prone to parasitic infestations due to their slow movement, extensive surface area, and varied water column habitats. Cullis-Suzuki reveals the extent of parasite presence on these fish, with 73 different species identified on the Mola mola and other ocean sunfish types, some even harboring parasites on their parasites.
To combat these parasites, sunfish employ unique strategies like breaching, where they leap out of the water and crash back down, possibly to dislodge the parasites. They also allow smaller fish and birds to feed on the parasites as a form of natural pest control.
Despite the existing knowledge about ocean sunfish, there is still much to uncover about this intriguing species, as emphasized by Cullis-Suzuki. The quest for further understanding continues as researchers strive to unravel more mysteries surrounding the ocean sunfish.
For an in-depth look at the ocean sunfish, catch The Nature of Things 101 on CBC Gem or visit the The Nature of Things YouTube channel.