A sunfish at Kaiyokan Aquarium in Japan has shown remarkable improvement after staff introduced an unconventional method of care. The mola mola, a species known for its immense size and vulnerability, began exhibiting signs of illness shortly after its arrival in February 2024. Initially suspected to have parasites and digestive issues, the sunfish stopped eating jellyfish and started rubbing its body against the acrylic tank, raising concerns among the aquarium staff.
The sunfish, which was 79.5cm long and weighed about 28kg upon its arrival from off the coast of Kochi Prefecture, is a large fish capable of growing up to 335cm long and weighing up to 2.5 tons. Listed as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species, the sunfish's health is of significant concern. It is an omnivorous creature that can live up to 10 years in captivity, making its wellbeing a priority for conservation efforts.
In an unexpected turn of events, the aquarium staff decided to decorate the fish tank with photos of human faces and adorn it with aquarium uniforms. This innovative approach aimed to address the sunfish's suspected loneliness due to the lack of visitors during the aquarium's temporary closure. Remarkably, the sunfish's health improved the very next day following this intervention. Further observations and interactions, including more waving from staff members, led to a full recovery.
"I honestly can't believe it, but the individual currently on display was quite curious and often came close to the front of the tank when visitors were present."
- The aquarium
The aquarium is slated to reopen sometime in summer this year, promising a regular influx of real human visitors that may provide the social interaction the sunfish seems to crave. This development is eagerly anticipated by the aquarium staff, who have witnessed firsthand the positive impact of human presence on the sunfish's health.
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