The boys and I first came across this brizarre creature 2 years ago on a camping trip to Monterey. Even in a million gallon tank at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, one of the largest in the world, this fish can not be missed. Meet the California Sunfish, or the Mola Mola. This sucker is huge, with an average weight of 1.5 - 2 tons. The main diet of the sunfish is jellyfish (see below) which - being nutritionally poor - must be consumed in large amounts.Animal Facts
Scientific Name:Mola mola
Habitat:Open Waters
Animal Type:Fishes
Diet:Mainly jellies and other zooplankters, squid, fish, crustaceans, brittle stars
Size:to 14 feet and nearly 5,000 pounds; molas in Monterey Bay up to 1000 pounds or more
Range:Seasonally distributed in all tropical and temperate oceans
Interesting fact:Females of the species can produce more eggs than any other known vertebrate.
To view a live webcam of the sunfish in action, visit: www.montereybayaquarium.org
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