‘Looks like an alien!’ Tourists are left stunned as one of the world’s biggest and rarest sea creatures washes up on an Australian beach
A mysterious and otherworldly creature has captured the attention of tourists on an Australian beach, leaving them astonished and intrigued. The creature in question is an ocean sunfish, also known as a Mola mola, which was discovered by visitors at the mouth of Kennett River on Victoria’s south-west coast. Cath Rampton and her husband Tom, both veterinarians, were taken aback by the sight of the enormous fish, as they had never encountered one before.
Described as an “alien-like” creature, the ocean sunfish found on the beach measured approximately two meters in length and height. Despite its impressive size, it was considered relatively small for its species, as these fish can reach double that size. Ms. Rampton expressed her amazement at coming across the fish, emphasizing the surprise it brought.
The ocean sunfish, or Mola mola, is a species commonly found in Australian waters. It can grow up to three meters in length, reach a height of 4.2 meters, and weigh up to 2.5 tonnes. These peculiar creatures primarily feed on squid and jellyfish, which makes them vulnerable to mistaking plastic bags for food. Due to their large size, sunfish often collide with ships, posing a danger to their survival.
Tourists Tim Rothman and James Barham discovered the sunfish a few days after its initial sighting. They described the fish as resembling an alien when viewed from a distance. Mr. Rothman, who has visited Kennett River frequently, expressed doubt about encountering such a unique fish again.
This is not the first time an ocean sunfish has washed up on the Australian coast. In a previous incident, a fisherman discovered a sunfish near the mouth of the River Murray in South Australia. Estimated to be around 2.5 meters in length and weighing several hundred kilograms, this finding highlighted the remarkable size and vulnerability of sunfish in their natural habitat.
Ralph Foster, a fish collection manager at the South Australian Museum, explained that sunfish often end up stranded on beaches due to various factors. One significant danger they face is colliding with large boats at sea. Additionally, sunfish are prone to consuming plastic bags, mistaking them for jellyfish, which can have fatal consequences. While sunfish wash up on South Australian shores regularly, they are more commonly found further out at sea.
Sunfish are not exclusive to Australian waters; they can be found in tropical waters worldwide. Due to their distinctive fin, they are sometimes mistaken for sharks. Interestingly, sunfish are considered a delicacy in certain Asian countries such as Japan, Korea, and Taiwan.
The discovery of the ocean sunfish on the Australian beach has generated intrigue and curiosity among locals and tourists alike. Its unusual appearance and impressive size serve as a reminder of the diverse and captivating creatures that inhabit our oceans. As we continue to explore and learn about the wonders of the natural world, encounters with rare and extraordinary creatures like the ocean sunfish only deepen our appreciation for the rich biodiversity that surrounds us.
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