Quick answer
Ocean sunfish can weigh over 2,000 kg with a flattened disc body and tiny mouth, living about 10 years and swimming slowly at 5 km/h. They eat jellyfish and bask at the surface warming after deep dives — listed Vulnerable from bycatch.
Key takeaway
Ocean sunfish can weigh over 2,000 kg with a flattened disc body and tiny mouth, living about 10 years and swimming slowly at 5 km/h. They eat jellyfish and bask at the surface warming after deep dives — listed Vulnerable from bycatch.
Ocean Sunfish overview
Ocean Sunfish (Mola mola) is an fish listed here as Vulnerable. Typical weight 250–2,000 kg (550–4,400 lb); record specimens heaviest bony fish; lifespan around 8–10 years in the wild.
Ocean Sunfish ecology
Diet: Carnivore — jellyfish, salps, and small fish. Habitat: Temperate and tropical oceans worldwide. Movement and social systems reflect those pressures across the native range.
Ocean Sunfish and people
Learn before you travel or keep related pets. Wild ocean sunfish are not toys; captive care needs species-specific husbandry.
Status and further reading
Conservation label in our guides: Vulnerable. See the full Ocean Sunfish profile for taxonomy, FAQs, and related topic guides on this site.
Conservation and coexistence
Listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. Habitat loss, hunting, and climate change threaten many populations. Responsible ecotourism and community conservation help in parts of their range. Never approach or feed wild ocean sunfish.
Human interest and research
Ocean Sunfish feature in folklore, tourism, and scientific study worldwide. Ongoing research tracks population trends, genetics, and responses to environmental change — data that guides national protection policies.
Sources
Ocean Sunfish FAQs
What are key facts about ocean sunfish?
Ocean sunfish can weigh over 2,000 kg with a flattened disc body and tiny mouth, living about 10 years and swimming slowly at 5 km/h. They eat jellyfish and bask at the surface warming after deep dives — listed Vulnerable from bycatch.
What is the scientific name of the ocean sunfish?
Mola mola — used in research and conservation listings for ocean sunfish.
What do ocean sunfish eat?
Ocean Sunfish eat jellyfish, salps, and small fish, with seasonal and regional variation in Temperate and tropical oceans worldwide.
Where do ocean sunfish live?
They are associated with Temperate and tropical oceans worldwide. Local presence depends on food, cover, and human land use.
What is the conservation status of ocean sunfish?
Listed in our guides as Vulnerable. Check the IUCN Red List and national assessments for the latest formal category.