The ocean sunfish, a massive creature weighing up to two tonnes, is often overlooked for its peculiar traits, including being adorned with parasites, even on its eyeballs. In a captivating episode of The Nature of Things 101, Sarika Cullis-Suzuki delves into the world of this unique fish, highlighting its unconventional features that defy typical fish appearances.
With its distinctive circular body, lack of a tail, and enormous fins, the Mola mola, a type of ocean sunfish and one of the largest fish in the ocean, captivates viewers through a life-size model presentation. Known for their extensive travels, these fish venture deep into the ocean multiple times a day in search of food. However, their sluggish movement, large surface area, and traversal through various water zones make them susceptible to parasitic infestation.
Cullis-Suzuki reveals that the Mola mola is plagued by a myriad of parasites, infesting its skin, gills, fins, eyeballs, mouth, and intestines. The fish hosts a staggering 73 different parasite species, some even carrying parasites of their own. To combat these parasites, the sunfish employs tactics such as breaching out of the water and crashing back down, possibly to dislodge the unwelcome hitchhikers. Additionally, they allow smaller fish and birds to feed on the parasites as a natural cleaning mechanism.
Despite the extensive knowledge we have about the ocean sunfish, there remains much to uncover about this enigmatic species. Cullis-Suzuki emphasizes the necessity for further research and understanding of these fascinating creatures.
For an in-depth exploration of the ocean sunfish, tune in to The Nature of Things 101 on CBC Gem or visit The Nature of Things YouTube channel for more insights.