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
Mis à jour le Mar 9, 2026 · 3 sources
Guide d'espèce
Ce qu'il faut savoir sur ocean sunfish
Un guide de terrain clair centré sur l'habitat, l'identification, le comportement et la conservation sans masquer les informations utiles.
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.
Identification
Comment identifier ocean sunfish
Les marqueurs visuels que les plongeurs peuvent utiliser sous l'eau, ainsi que les espèces les plus susceptibles de prêter à confusion.
Marqueurs d'identification clés
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).
Répartition et déplacements
Comment ocean sunfish se déplacent dans le monde
La répartition générale, les mouvements saisonniers ou les migrations qui influencent les rencontres des plongeurs avec cette espèce.
Movement and migration patterns are poorly understood and the subject of ongoing research.
Alimentation
Ce que ocean sunfish mangent généralement
Un contexte alimentaire utile qui explique souvent l'habitat, les déplacements et le type de rencontre.
Diet and trophic ecology are reported as poorly understood.
Conservation
Ce qui arrive à Ocean Sunfish
Statut, pressions et protections fondés sur des sources citées plutôt que sur du remplissage.
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.
Principales menaces
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.
Protections et contrôles
European Union sale ban
Regulations in the European Union ban the sale of fish and fishery products derived from the family Molidae.
Rencontres responsables
Comment plonger avec ocean sunfish
Conseils de conservation pour les plongeurs qui veulent vivre la rencontre sans ajouter de pression.
Give ocean sunfish space, avoid blocking the animal's path, and follow local site and operator rules for wildlife interactions with saltwater fishes.
Notes de terrain
Choses intéressantes à savoir
Contexte utile sur l'espèce qui rend la rencontre plus significative une fois sous l'eau.
Notes de terrain
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.
FAQ
Questions fréquentes
Réponses claires de planification et de conservation écrites pour la visibilité en recherche et la récupération par IA.
Sources de recherche
Sources d'information sur Ocean Sunfish
Références principales et crédibles derrière les affirmations de terrain et de conservation de cette page.
Sources 3Mis à jour
Ocean sunfish · Encyclopedia · Wikipedia
Primary wildlife guide source.
Ocean Sunfish · Encyclopedia · Britannica
Supporting wildlife source.
Mola mola · Taxonomy · WoRMS
Taxonomy reference.