Searching for sunfish

Are you ready to dive into the world of the ocean sunfish? These fascinating creatures are some of the most unusual and interesting fish in the sea, and the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation has just launched a citizen science research programme to celebrate them!

First things first, let's talk about what makes ocean sunfish so special. With their round, flattened bodies and distinct dorsal and anal fins, sunfish have an instantly recognisable appearance. They can grow up to 2.5 meters in length and weigh as much as 2 000 kilograms, making them the largest bony fish in the ocean.

But there's more to these fish than just their unusual size and shape. Ocean sunfish are also known for their quirky behaviours, such as their tendency to sunbathe near the surface of the water. They'll often bask on their sides with one fin sticking out of the water, soaking up the warm sunlight. It's a behaviour that's both amusing and fascinating to watch.

Ocean sunfish face several threats in the wild including, being caught accidentally as bycatch, plastic pollution, habitat degradation, overfishing of some species, and parasitic overload. These threats can have a significant impact on ocean sunfish populations. In addition to these threats, ocean sunfish are also valuable as indicator species and open ocean ambassadors, because of the great distances they travel in their wanderings.

Since 2004, the Two Oceans Aquarium has assisted international ocean sunfish researchers with an opportunistic collection of tissue samples for DNA analysis, tagging of individuals, and collection of observer data from fishing vessels. The Aquarium has also rescued, exhibited, and released several sunfish found trapped in the basins around the V&A Waterfront creating the perfect opportunity to research sunfish, generating improved knowledge, and contributing towards their conservation.