Giant Ocean Sunfish Caught on Camera Impersonating a Shark, but Mimicry Was Coincidental, Expert Says

A sizable fish that appeared to be "impersonating" a shark has been discovered in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California.

Ocean Fish Confused With Shark

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) captured the ocean sunfish (Mola mola) in the Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary. Nearly 3,300 square miles of this protected area are off the northern and central Californian beaches. A wide variety of marine life, including many threatened or endangered species, can be found there.

The ocean sunfish in a shot by Sara Heintzelman for the NOAA resembles a shark. On Wednesday, the NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries posted on its Facebook page that this one had been seen acting like a shark. At first glance, it looked like a shark, but it appeared to be only scouring for its favorite food - jellyfish.

Jennifer Stock told Newsweek mola molas have "unique-looking" fish. Stock is a spokeswoman for the Cordell Bank and Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuaries.

Mola mola features two extended fins (dorsal and anal fins) and a moderately rounded, truncated tail fin. The dorsal fin emerges from the water when the animal is close to the surface, making it look like a shark.

However, with a deliberate examination, one would notice that they are languid and floppy, in contrast to a shark fin's more intentional movements. The dorsal fin frequently exhibits mistaken identity.

Ocean sunfish is the largest teleost in the ocean. An adult could weigh up to 1000 kg on average. According to Science Direct, the heaviest mola mola ever recorded weighed 2,300 kg.

It may weigh up to 2.5 tons and is about the size of a 6-foot man, per National Geographic. Their backfin, which never develops but folds into itself, is responsible for its truncated and bullet-like shape.

It is known as a mola due to its rounded shape and rough skin. In Latin, the word "mola" means "millstone." Mola molas are silvery in color.

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Mola Mola Doesn't Mimic Sharks Despite Resemblance

However, the likeness in this instance is coincidental, unlike some species in nature that use deliberate mimicking techniques, according to Stock.

Ocean sunfish do not imitate sharks since they consume jellies. The expert explained that no ecological mimicry is taking place because it only resembles a shark to humans above the water.

When molas are smaller and younger, we occasionally see them in groups, but as they get older, they frequently live alone. When they are young, they consume a range of meals, but as they age, they primarily consume jellies and other kinds of zooplankton made of gelatin and are, therefore, vulnerable to the currents.

The fact that ocean sunfish are known to host more than 40 different parasites is another intriguing aspect of these fish. Diverse seabirds have been seen pulling parasites off of molas as they surface. The birds receive food, and the mola is cleaned; this connection benefits both parties.

It's interesting to note that molas have a thick layer of mucus covering their bodies that acts as a built-in sunscreen by shielding them from UV rays and bacteria when they are at the surface.