07/10/2026
A truly rare sighting in our Cape Waters is the legendary sun fish.
Heaviest Bony Fish: Can weigh up to 2,700 kg (6,000 lbs), making it the heaviest bony fish species on Earth.
300 Million Eggs: Females can release up to 300 million eggs at once—the most of any vertebrate.
Thermal Sunbathing: They float sideways on the surface to warm up after deep ocean dives and to attract cleaner birds.
Microscopic Start: Hatchlings are only 2–3 mm long and resemble tiny, spiky pufferfish.
No Real Tail: They lack a standard caudal fin, using a blunt, ridge-like rudder called a clavus instead.
Fused Beak Mouth: Closely related to pufferfish, their teeth are fused into a rigid, bird-like beak they cannot close.
Jelly-Based Buoyancy: Lacking a swim bladder, they stay buoyant using a thick layer of gelatinous tissue under their skin.
"Moon Fish" & "Millstones": Called mola (Latin for millstone) for their shape, and "moon fish" in French, Spanish, and Italian (pez luna).
Parasite Hotels: A single sunfish can harbor over 40 different parasite species, leading them to jump out of the water to dislodge pests.
Powered by Jellyfish: Despite their massive bulk, their diet is made up almost entirely of low-calorie jellyfish and sea squirts.
Join the conversation, meet fellow divers, and make the most of every opportunity to get underwater.
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