Fish moon

Description

The sunfish boasts a round white body with gray spots, which is how it gets its name. The creature's gills lack an external side. The moon fish feels comfortable in a wide range of temperatures and depths, which is why it lives in most oceans.

Moon fish close-up
Interesting fact : in Latin the fish is called mola mola, which translates as “millstone”.
And in Germany the creature was nicknamed “fish head”. The creature lives at great depths and periodically rises to the surface. The moon fish does this on purpose so that seagulls and other birds will land on it. Birds move along it and eat parasites that hide under the skin, between the folds and under the fins. After this, the moon fish swims away to its usual habitat.

Origin of the species and description

This fish got its name due to its unusual appearance, similar in shape to the moon. It belongs to the order of pufferfish and has teeth and skin cover similar in structure to them, and the absence of the outer side of the gills. For example, the poisonous fugu fish belongs to the same order, but the fugu is in the suborder of dog fish, and the moon is in the suborder lunar fish.

The order of pufferfish as a whole is very unusual. These fish are characterized by unusual body shapes such as ball and square. Fish from this order easily adapt to different water temperatures and live in almost all oceans.

Video: Moon fish

Another Latin name for this fish is mola mola, which means “millstone”, i.e. round device for kneading grain. The fish is also called “sunfish” because of its round shape. In Germany, this fish is called "fish head" because of its physiology.

The British call the moon fish “Ocean sunfish” also because of the shape of the circle and the following circumstance: this fish loves to sunbathe, floating to the surface of the water and staying there for a long time. In fact, this behavior is scientifically justified, since seagulls have a healing effect on fish - with their beaks they remove parasites from under its skin.

The sunfish is the largest representative of the bony fish, since its weight can vary within a ton or even two.

Appearance

The sides of the fish's body are flattened, so it seems that it is stretched upward. During the process of evolution, the creature's tail fin disappeared. This is because his pelvic bones failed to develop properly. The role of the tail is performed by the fused ventral and dorsal fins, which are located on the back of the body. They have elastic cartilages, due to which the moon fish can maneuver perfectly. The creature has 16 to 18 vertebrae in its back.

Since the gills do not have an external side, they look like ordinary holes. Because of this, microbes and other organisms easily penetrate inside, causing serious harm to health through their parasitic activities.

Appearance of the moon fish

Appearance of the moon fish

Appearance of the moon fish

Appearance of the moon fish

Appearance of the moon fish

The eyes of the fish are small, just like the mouth. Thanks to the latter fact, many underwater inhabitants are not afraid of it, because they know that they cannot be swallowed. The moon fish lacks a swim bladder, as well as a lateral line. Thanks to it, creatures are able to pick up water vibrations and detect approaching objects out of sight. Because of this, it is easy to approach her from the side or back. The color of the fish is white-gray, there may be brown shades. There are also individuals whose bodies have multi-colored patterns.

Interesting fact : if the moon fish feels threatened, its color darkens, which helps scare off the enemy.

There are no scales on the body of the moon fish. Instead, the surface is covered with mucus, which performs a protective function. As an individual ages, bone growths may appear. The latter indicate that the species previously had scales, but they disappeared during the process of evolution.

Fish Moon or Mola Mola

Moonfish – (lat. Mola mola), translated from Latin as millstone. This fish can be more than three meters long and weigh about one and a half tons. The largest specimen of the sunfish was caught in New Hampshire, USA. Its length was five and a half meters, there is no data on weight. The shape of the fish’s body resembles a disk; it was this feature that gave rise to the Latin name.

The moon fish has thick skin. It is elastic, and its surface is covered with small bony projections. The larvae of fish of this species and young individuals swim in the usual way. Adult large fish swim on their sides, quietly moving their fins. They seem to lie on the surface of the water, where they are very easy to spot and catch. However, many experts believe that only sick fish swim this way. As an argument, they cite the fact that the stomach of fish caught on the surface is usually empty.

Compared to other fish, the sunfish is a poor swimmer. She is unable to fight the current and often floats at the will of the waves, without a goal. This is observed by sailors, noticing the dorsal fin of this clumsy fish.

Sunfish feed on zooplankton. This is confirmed by studies of fish stomachs, in which crustaceans, small squids, leptocephali, ctenophores and even jellyfish were found. Scientists suggest that the sunfish can reach quite great depths.

The sunfish is considered to be very prolific, with one female producing up to 300 million eggs. Fish spawning occurs in the waters of the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian oceans. Although this species usually spawns in the tropics, currents sometimes carry them into the temperate zone of warm waters.

flickr/Kydroon

In the Atlantic Ocean, the moonfish can reach Great Britain and Iceland, the coast of Norway, and even go further north. In the Pacific Ocean in summer you can see moonfish in the Sea of ​​Japan, more often in the northern part, and near the Kuril Islands.

Although the moonfish looks quite menacing due to its impressive size, it is not scary to humans. However, there are many signs among South African sailors who interpret the appearance of this fish as a sign of trouble. This is probably due to the fact that the sunfish approaches the shore only before the weather worsens. The sailors associate the appearance of the fish with an approaching storm and rush to return to shore. Such superstitions also arise due to the unusual appearance of the fish and its swimming method.

PS I found photos in which the Moon Fish is still very tiny...

flickr/sailroue59

www.norbertwu.com

Dimensions

The dimensions of the moon fish can exceed a person.
The average length of individuals is 1.9 m, and they reach a height of up to 2.4 m. The maximum dimensions are approximately 3.2 and 4.2 m, respectively. Due to these dimensions, the fish can weigh from 250 to 1000 kg. The mass of the creature could have been even greater if, during the process of evolution, a significant proportion of bones had not been replaced by cartilage.

Interesting fact : the largest moon fish was caught in 1966. It was an individual whose weight was 2350 kg.

How long does he live?

It is unknown how long the creature lives in its natural environment, since it is quite difficult for scientists to observe one individual for a long period of time. However, based on an analysis of growth rates, body formation and development of individuals, it was concluded that males on average live up to 16 years, and females - up to 23.

Moon fish in artificial habitat

Since some moonfish live in aquariums, people have the opportunity to watch them continuously. In such a habitat, this type of underwater creature lives for about 10 years. Keeping them in artificial conditions made it possible to measure the growth rate of the fish. Over the course of a day, its length increases by about a millimeter, and from 20 to 490 grams is added to its mass.

There is also an opinion that assumptions about life expectancy in natural conditions are erroneous. Some scientists claim that the female of this species can live up to 105 years, and the male up to 95. However, there are no facts proving this theory yet.

What does a moon fish look like?

The body is tall, strongly laterally flattened, covered with very thick, elastic skin. No coccyx. High fin dorsal and anal. Small mouth . Adults do not have a bladder.

Fish moon

The largest specimen weighs two tons and is 3 meters long!

The sunfish is also probably the most fertile fish in the world. The average female of this species lays about 300 million eggs!

According to National Geographic, this fish alone grows so much from birth to adulthood that its mass increases 60 million times! It is not for nothing that it is included in the TOP 10 largest fish in the world.

Habitat - where it lives

The moon fish lives mainly in the oceans, and chooses areas with warm waters. Mostly it swims at a depth of 45 to 250 m, but occasionally it can float up and explore areas 14 m from the surface.

The moon fish is not afraid of people and does not attack them

The moonfish is found in the eastern Pacific Ocean, in the vicinity of Chile, Canada and Peru. In Indian it lives throughout the territory. In the Atlantic, it lives in the eastern region, near South Africa and Scandinavia, and in the west near southern Argentina. The creature is able to swim into the Red, Caribbean and Baltic seas. The only ocean where the moonfish is absent is the Arctic Ocean. The creature loves warmth and feels comfortable from 12 degrees Celsius.

Interesting fact : a large number of sunfish live in the western part of the Atlantic, the population size is approximately 18 thousand individuals. At the same time, the dimensions of each do not exceed one meter.

The moon fish prefers to live in warm waters at a depth of 200 m

In most cases, the moon fish lives at a depth of 210 m, but it has been proven that it can go down to 800 m. If the creature continuously swims at the surface of the water, it is most likely seriously ill.

Almost tame sunfish – 21 photos

The common sunfish , or sunfish, or headfish (lat. Mola mola) is the largest modern bony fish. It reaches a length of three meters and a weight of about 1.5 tons. The Guinness Book of Records provides data on a fish caught in 1908 near Sydney, whose length was 4.26 m and weight 2235 kg.

The laterally compressed body is extremely high and short, which gives the fish an extremely strange appearance: the body of this fish approaches the shape of a disk. The caudal peduncle is absent; the dorsal and anal fins are without spines, the caudal fin is lost, replaced by a fold of skin supported by a special plate (false caudal fin, clavus). The skin of the moon fish is thick and elastic, covered with small bony tubercles.

Sunfish are found in tropical and temperate waters. Spawns in the tropical waters of the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific oceans. In the North Atlantic, sunfish can be found off the coast of Newfoundland, Iceland, Great Britain, in the western part of the Baltic Sea and along the coasts of Norway and the Kola Peninsula. Occasionally it can be found in the northern part of the Sea of ​​Japan and in the area of ​​the southern islands of the Great Kuril Ridge.

The sunfish can often be seen lying on its side on the surface of the water. From time to time, its fins show on the surface - sometimes they are mistaken for shark dorsal fins. The larvae and juveniles of this species swim like ordinary fish.

Previously, it was believed that the sunfish was a poor swimmer, unable to overcome strong currents, so it was classified as oceanic macroplankton. However, targeted observations have shown that the sunfish can swim 26 km per day, with a maximum swimming speed of 3.28 km/h.

Sunfish are pelagic fish and are found at depths of up to 600 m. Contrary to popular belief, it has been shown that adults spend most of their time in the epipelagic and mesopelagic zones at depths of more than 200 m.

The sunfish feeds on plankton, as well as squid, eel larvae, salps, ctenophores and jellyfish. The sunfish is the most prolific fish: one female can lay up to 300 million eggs, but its numbers are small.

The sunfish does not pose a danger to divers. Eating it is unpopular in Europe and the USA, but in Asia it is eaten, and all parts of the body are used (including the skin and spine).

What does it eat?

The diet of the moon fish is determined by the territory where it lives. Due to its small mouth, the creature is able to eat mostly soft food, but there have been cases when it swallowed crustaceans. Basically, the moon fish prefers:

• acne;
• plankton;
• sponges;
• small fish;
• seaweed;
• jellyfish;
• other sea creatures that do not have hard bones or shells.

Interesting: Why are river fish more bony than sea fish?

Some creatures included in the diet of the moon fish do not mind engaging in battle with it in order to stay alive. For example, squids often resist while a creature tries to swallow them, and often they even manage to scare it away due to their aggressive behavior.

Moon fish at the time of eating

Juveniles feed mainly on jellyfish. However, as they grow, they become insufficient to satisfy them, and the fish adds other types of food to the diet. Observations have shown that she hunts at different depths, which is why various creatures may end up in her stomach during the day.

Since the moon fish does not boast excellent maneuverability, it does not have the ability to pursue prey for a long time. When eating, the creature sucks in large amounts of water. Along with the liquid, small creatures swimming by are also drawn into the oral cavity. They become food for the moon fish.

Lifestyle and character traits

The moon fish swims slowly and has poor maneuverability.
The moon fish prefers to lead a hermit lifestyle. This species unites into groups only to produce offspring. But sometimes its representatives can swim in pairs and live together throughout their lives.

The fish spends most of its time at great depths, but sometimes rises to the surface to bask in the sun and allow the birds to cleanse themselves of parasites. At the same time, the creature falls on its side so that most of its body is exposed to the sun's rays.

Interesting fact : if other fish move their fins left and right, the moon waves them like oars. This makes it easier for her to move in space, scooping up water with them.

The moon fish moves very slowly. Her average speed is only 3 km/h, and in a day she swims 20-25 km. The creature has a calm character and never shows aggression. Thanks to this, a person can swim next to it without fear of getting any harm. Moreover, the moon fish is physically incapable of attacking anyone. She has too little maneuverability, and her jaws cannot bite through a hard surface.

Lifestyle

The sunfish is a slow-moving creature. She spends most of her time at the surface of the water, lying on her side. Mola molas love to float up and sunbathe under the sun's rays.

Is the sunfish dangerous to humans? This giant creature is completely harmless. Mola mola is not a predator. The huge weight does not allow it to move quickly in the water and hunt. Therefore, the sunfish can only feed on easy prey: zooplankton, algae and jellyfish.

This fish is dangerous only during its flights. After all, a giant creature can accidentally fall on a person, which often leads to tragic consequences. Mola mola is capable of jumping out of the water to a height of 3 meters. There have been several deaths from huge fish falling on people.

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What makes the moonfish jump? Ichthyologists have found that a huge number of parasites live on its skin and mucous membranes. To shake them off the body, the mola-mola has to fly high into the air.

Due to its slowness and clumsiness, the moonfish creates obstacles in the path of boats. There have been cases of small fishing vessels being broken up when colliding with a mola mola.

Reproduction and social structure

Moon Pisces live separately from each other, and unite in groups only during the mating season, which falls in the summer. Females lay 310-320 million eggs, and do this in one territory. After this, the adults leave to go about their business, and the offspring are left to their own devices from the first day. The eggs hatch into 2-2.5 mm larvae, which begin to actively feed and gain weight.

Moon fish larva

Interesting fact : externally, the larvae are similar to the fry of the poisonous puffer fish, which is why many underwater predators do not risk eating them.

The most favorable places for the birth of offspring are considered to be the southern territories of the Indian, Pacific and Atlantic oceans. This is where the moon fish goes to lay eggs. After the end of the mating season, individuals return to their original habitat.

Reproduction and offspring

The reproductive biology and behavior of the sunfish are still relatively poorly understood. What is certain is that they are the most prolific fish (and vertebrates) on the planet.

Once a female sunfish reaches sexual maturity, it can produce more than 300 million eggs. However, the fish that hatch from them are born about the size of a pinhead. A newborn mola mola resembles a small head placed inside a Christmas ornament. The baby's protective layer resembles the shape of a translucent star or snowflake.

Where and when sunfish lay their eggs is not known, although five possible areas have been identified in the North and South Atlantic, North and South Pacific, and Indian Ocean, where rotating ocean currents called gyres are concentrated.

The hatched moon is only 0.25 centimeters. Before she reaches sexual maturity, she will have to increase in size 60 million times.

But appearance is not the only thing that can surprise a mola mola. It is related to the puffer fish, being its closest relative.

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Natural enemies

The sea lion is one of the natural enemies of the moon fish.
Since this species lives at great depths and boasts impressive dimensions, few underwater creatures dare to attack it. Because of this, the moon fish has a small list of natural enemies. These include the following creatures:

1. Shark. The predator rarely attacks the moon fish, since it lives at a different depth. But if the meeting does take place, he can bite through thick skin without any problems. After the shark finishes eating, various scavengers swim in to eat the leftovers.
2. Killer whale. The mammal usually does not eat sunfish, but if an individual is too hungry or old to keep up with more agile prey, it may make an exception.
3. Sea lion. He hunts the moon fish as it rises to the surface. Having attacked her, the predator bites off the fins and then tries to gnaw through the skin.

But man is the creature's main enemy. Despite the fact that it is practically not used for food, many fishermen do not deny themselves the pleasure of catching it. This is due to the fact that the creature has an unusual appearance, and many want to get such a trophy for themselves.

Population and species status

The fish rarely gather in groups.
The moon fish population is large and there is no threat of it disappearing anytime soon. Since the creature has virtually no natural enemies, many individuals grow and develop quietly. Even though it is actively caught in some areas, this does not in any way affect the total number.

Interesting fact : cases often occur when moon fish are thrown onto the decks of yachts, which leads to vehicle breakdown.

Continuous ocean pollution has a negative impact on fish. Because the creature feeds by sucking up large amounts of water, it involuntarily ingests plastic and other waste. This contributes to the development of parasites in the body and the appearance of many diseases.

What threatens the fish moon?

The mola mola population is gradually decreasing. This giant creature faces many dangers. Indeed, despite its size, the moon fish is absolutely defenseless.

In nature, the mola-mola has many enemies. Tuna, sea lions, sharks and killer whales pose a huge threat to it. The large weight does not allow the moonfish to escape pursuit. Predators bite off its fins, which leads to a slow and painful death.

People are also to blame for the decline in mola mola numbers. Catching this fish is prohibited in Europe, but in the countries of Southeast Asia its meat is eaten. In the tropics, fishermen believe that the mola mola steals the bait from their hooks. This unique fish is treated as a pest and is mercilessly destroyed.

Water pollution also plays a role. It is not uncommon for the mola mola to mistake floating plastic bags for jellyfish and swallow them whole. This causes the fish to die from suffocation or intestinal blockage.

Commercial value

Moonfish with an unusual black color
In most countries, moonfish is not used as food. Therefore, if one of the individuals ends up in a fisherman’s net, this catch will have more of a trophy nature than end up on a plate. Moreover, its meat is considered harmful, because... may contain parasites and toxic substances.

However, in eastern countries, moonfish is eaten, and dishes are prepared from all parts of its body. The meat cannot boast of a rich taste, but the unusual appearance of the creature turns it into a real delicacy. During the cooking process, the cook must carry out appropriate procedures to disinfect and remove harmful toxins.

In Europe, there is a ban on the sale of sunfish meat because these countries do not properly process it. Accordingly, anyone who buys this product may be poisoned.

In the United States, the sale of moonfish is allowed, but is not in great demand, because... people are aware of the possibility of contracting an infection.

Scientific classification

• Domain: eukaryotes
• Kingdom: Animals
• Subkingdom: eumetazoans
• No rank: bilaterally symmetrical
• No rank: deuterostomes
• Type: chordates
• Subphylum: vertebrates
• Infratype: gnathostomes
• Group: fish
• Group: bony fish
• Class: ray-finned fish
• Subclass: newfin fish
• Infraclass: bony fish
• Cohort: true bony fish
• Superorder: spiny-finned
• Series: Percomorphs
• Order: pufferfish
• Suborder: pufferfish
• Family: moon fish
• Genus: Moon Pisces
• Species: moon fish