Mola mola (Linnaeus, 1758)

Ocean sunfish

Catalog of Fishes (gen., sp.) | ITIS | CoL

Classification	Actinopterygii \| Tetraodontiformes \| Molidae
Synonyms	Tetraodon mola, Orthragoriscus mola, Aledon capensis, ... more
Common names	... more

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AquaMaps Data sources: GBIF OBIS

Main reference

Tortonese, E. 1990. (Ref. 6952)
Other references | Biblio | Coordinator | Collaborators

Size / Weight / Age

Max length : 333 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 26340); max. published weight: 2,300.0 kg (Ref. 43760)

Environment

Pelagic; oceanodromous (Ref. 51243); marine; depth range 30 - 480 m

Climate / Range

Subtropical; 12°C - 25°C (Ref. 37040); 76°N - 65°S, 180°W - 180°E

The species appears in warm and temperate zones of all oceans. Eastern Pacific: British Columbia, Canada (Ref. 2850) to Peru and Chile (Ref. 5530). Eastern Atlantic: Scandinavia to South Africa (occasionally western Baltic, Mediterranean). Western Atlantic: Newfoundland, Canada (Ref. 7251) to Argentina (Ref. 36453).
Countries | FAO areas | Ecosystems | Occurrences | Introductions

Short description

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 15 - 18; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 14 - 17. The scaleless body is covered with extremely thick, elastic skin. The caudal fin is replaced by a rudder-like structure called 'clavus'. Dorsal and anal fins very high with short base; in swimming, these fins are flapped synchronously from side to side and can propel the fish at surprisingly good speed. Pectorals small and rounded, directed upward (Ref. 6885). Mouth very small; teeth fused to form a parrot-like beak. Gills 4, a slit behind the last; gill openings reduced to a small hole at the base of the pectoral fins. Gas bladder absent in adults.

The fish is found on slopes adjacent to deep water. The fish comes in for shelter and for seeking cleaner fishes. The fish is usually shy. However, it may become familiar with divers in some locations (Ref. 48637). The species often drifts at the surface while lying on its side. It swims upright and close to the surface. The dorsal fin often protrudes above the water. The species has been filmed in 480 m depth with the help of a camera equipped with baits (Lis Maclaren, pers. Comm. 2005). The species eats fishes, mollusks, zooplankton, jellyfish, crustaceans and brittle stars (Ref. 4925, 5951, 48637). A live colony of the cirriped Lepas anatifera were found attached to the anterior portion of the sunfish's esophagus that was stranded in the south coast of Terceira Island, Azores Archipelago in 2004; an association with apparent advantages for the goose barnacles such as a regular intake of food and protection both from hydrodynamic hazards and from predators: but for the sunfish, it is not clear whether it is neutral, of advantage or causes feeding problems since the attachment may obstruct the sunfish's esophagus (Ref. 55063). The fish is registered as the heaviest bony fish and as the one with the most eggs in the Guinness Book of World Records (Ref. 6472). Generally this species is not used as food fish; some people consider it as a delicacy (Ref. 30573). The fish can be utilized fresh and can be broiled (Ref. 9988). Some parts of the fish are used in Chinese medicine (Ref. 12166). Molas may contain the same toxin as puffers and porcupine fish (Ref. 13513). The fish does not adapt well in captivity (Ref. 12382, 37040). Juveniles are victims of California sea lions in Monterey Bay (Ref. 37040).


IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 57073)	Threat to humans
Not Evaluated	Poisonous to eat (Ref. 13513)

Human uses
Fisheries: minor commercial


More information
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Internet sources

Estimation of some characteristics with mathematical models

Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref. 82805)

PD₅₀ = 0.7812

Resilience (Ref. 69278)

Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (Assuming tmax > 10)


Vulnerability (Ref. 59153)	Price category (Ref. 80766)
Very high vulnerability (82 of 100)	Not marketed/unknown

Entered by Papasissi, Christine

Modified by Capuli, Estelita Emily

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