Very large body size
Adults typically weigh between 247 and 1,000 kg (545–2,205 lb).
Ocean Sunfish
Mola mola
A very large, laterally flattened bony fish found in tropical and temperate oceans worldwide.
common mola
Actualizado el Mar 9, 2026 · 3 fuentes
Guía de especie
Qué saber sobre ocean sunfish
Una guía de campo clara centrada en hábitat, identificación, comportamiento y conservación sin enterrar lo útil.
The ocean sunfish (Mola mola) is one of the largest bony fishes and the type species of the genus Mola. Adults typically weigh between 247 and 1,000 kg (545–2,205 lb). The body is flattened laterally and can resemble a fish head without a tail; when dorsal and ventral fins are extended, the fish can be about as tall as it is long. It is native to tropical and temperate waters around the world. Many aspects of sunfish biology remain poorly understood, including mating and spawning locations, early life stages, movement and migration patterns, population structure and status, diet and trophic ecology, and post-release survival rates.
Population status and structure are poorly understood; sunfish are frequently caught in gillnets, they are consumed as a delicacy in some countries, and the EU bans sale of Molidae products.
Movement and migration patterns are poorly understood and the subject of ongoing research.
Identificación
Cómo identificar ocean sunfish
Los rasgos visuales que los buceadores pueden usar bajo el agua y las especies con las que más se confunde.
Rasgos clave de identificación
Flattened, tailless appearance
Main body is flattened laterally and can resemble a fish head without a tail.
Tall profile when fins extended
When dorsal and ventral fins are extended, sunfish can be as tall as they are long (about 175 cm or 6 ft).
Distribución y movimiento
Cómo se mueven ocean sunfish por el mundo
La distribución amplia, el movimiento estacional o la migración que determinan dónde encuentran los buceadores esta especie.
Movement and migration patterns are poorly understood and the subject of ongoing research.
Dieta
Qué suelen comer ocean sunfish
Contexto alimentario útil que a menudo explica hábitat, movimiento y estilo de encuentro.
Diet and trophic ecology are reported as poorly understood.
Conservación
Qué ocurre con Ocean Sunfish
Estado, presiones y protección con base en fuentes citadas, no en relleno.
Population status and structure are poorly understood; sunfish are frequently caught in gillnets, they are consumed as a delicacy in some countries, and the EU bans sale of Molidae products.
Amenazas principales
Bycatch in gillnets
Sunfish are frequently caught in gillnets according to available sources.
Targeted harvest for food
Ocean sunfish are considered a delicacy in parts of the world, including Japan, Korea, and Taiwan.
Protecciones y controles
European Union sale ban
Regulations in the European Union ban the sale of fish and fishery products derived from the family Molidae.
Encuentros responsables
Cómo bucear con ocean sunfish
Guía de conservación para buceadores que quieren el encuentro sin añadir presión.
Give ocean sunfish space, avoid blocking the animal's path, and follow local site and operator rules for wildlife interactions with saltwater fishes.
Notas de campo
Detalles interesantes que conviene saber
Contexto útil de la especie que hace el encuentro más significativo bajo el agua.
Notas de campo
One of the largest bony fishes
Ocean sunfish are among the largest bony fish in the world.
Taxonomy
It is the type species of the genus Mola and one of five extant species in the family Molidae.
Former misidentification
The ocean sunfish was formerly misidentified as the heaviest bony fish; that distinction belongs to the related Mola alexandrini.
Preguntas frecuentes
Preguntas frecuentes
Respuestas claras de planificación y conservación escritas para visibilidad en buscadores y recuperación por IA.
Fuentes de investigación
Fuentes de información sobre Ocean Sunfish
Referencias principales y fiables detrás de las afirmaciones de campo y conservación de esta página.
Fuentes 3Actualizado
Ocean sunfish · Encyclopedia · Wikipedia
Primary wildlife guide source.
Ocean Sunfish · Encyclopedia · Britannica
Supporting wildlife source.
Mola mola · Taxonomy · WoRMS
Taxonomy reference.
Especies relacionadas
Más en Saltwater Fishes
Guías de especies relacionadas dentro de la misma familia de encuentro.