In the realm of marine creatures, the ocean sunfish stands out as a remarkable species, defying conventional fish appearances with its massive body, lack of a distinct tail, and oversized fins. Host Sarika Cullis-Suzuki delves into the peculiar world of the Mola mola, showcasing its unique features in a life-size model demonstration with co-host Anthony Morgan on a segment of “The Nature of Things 101.”
Despite its impressive size and ability to swim to great depths in search of food, the ocean sunfish is plagued by a multitude of parasites that infest various parts of its body, including its eyes. Cullis-Suzuki reveals that these fish, due to their slow movement and vast surface area, attract parasites as they traverse different water zones, resulting in infestations on their skin, gills, fins, eyes, mouth, and intestines. Researchers have identified 73 parasite species on the Mola mola and other ocean sunfish types, some of which host secondary parasites.
To combat these unwelcome guests, the sunfish employs unique tactics such as breaching, leaping out of the water and crashing back down, possibly to dislodge parasites. Additionally, they permit smaller fish and birds to feed on the parasites as a form of symbiotic cleaning. Despite our current knowledge of these fascinating creatures, there remains a wealth of information yet to be uncovered about the ocean sunfish.
Cullis-Suzuki emphasizes the importance of further research to unravel the mysteries surrounding this enigmatic species. For those intrigued by the ocean sunfish’s peculiarities, “The Nature of Things 101” can be viewed on CBC Gem and The Nature of Things YouTube channel for a deeper exploration.