The rare and stunning fish is known only to a select few who have had the pleasure to witness one in real life. Mola mola can only be seen in certain parts of the world at specific times. Known as the Sunfish or ‘Moon Fish’ in many languages, encounter it in the waters around Malta. Delve into its unique characteristics and behaviors that mark it as a marvel of the sea.
Identifying the Mola mola is straightforward due to its distinctive appearance—it resembles a fish head with a tail. It is the heaviest bony fish globally, with adults weighing between 247 and 1,000 kg, often as tall as they are long when their fins are extended.
Belonging to the family Molidae, the Sunfish has a flattened, oval-shaped body and lacks a true tail. It feeds mainly on jellyfish and has unique adaptations such as a thick skin and reduced skeleton to support its enormous size.
Found in tropical and temperate oceans worldwide, including the Mediterranean Sea, Sunfish are known for their solitary habits and preference for deep waters. They are docile creatures, often seen near the surface basking in the sun.
Female Sunfish can produce an astonishing number of eggs—up to 300 million at a time, more than any other vertebrate. Their young, resembling miniature pufferfish, undergo significant changes as they mature into adults.
Dive into the depths around Malta to witness the majestic Sunfish firsthand. Marvel at their size and gentle demeanor as they glide through the waters, a true spectacle of marine life.
This Sunfish photo captures its grandeur at 67 meters at Għasri Point on Gozo’s north coast.
