scubaseason
Vulnerable· population decreasing· assessed 2015

Ocean Sunfish

Mola mola

Sighting evidence at Aljezur Seamount, Algarve

Ocean Sunfish

Photo: Randy Puckett · CC BY-NC

Mola mola arrive at the seamount from July through October, ascending from the deep to feed on jellyfish and be cleaned of parasites by wrasse and other small fish at the seamount pinnacles. Reaching up to 2 tonnes, they are the world's heaviest bony fish and an extraordinary open-ocean encounter for divers willing to brave the swell. Their appearance correlates strongly with jellyfish blooms in the surface water and the upwelling-driven productivity that the seamount concentrates.

Evidence at this site

No confirmed records on file at this site

Ocean Sunfish is listed as a curated species here based on historical reports.

How is this calculated?

Sighting evidence is compiled from iNaturalist observation records within a set proximity radius, filtered for quality-grade observations. “Last confirmed” is the date of the most recent research-grade record. Record count covers a rolling 24-month window. Confidence reflects record count, recency, and consistency of seasonal signal.

Also seen at other sites