A rare sighting of a hoodwinker sunfish that washed ashore gave researchers the opportunity to learn more about this unusual fish. The animal washed up near Gansbaai in the Western Cape, and scientists from Dyer Island Conservation Trust and the Two Oceans Aquarium Education Foundation said they were ‘eager to work together to learn more about one of our ocean’s most unusual creatures.’
‘Hoodwinker sunfish were only recently discovered in 2017, after hiding in plain sight amongst the more commonly known Mola mola,’ the Foundation said. ‘With the hoodwinker sunfish (Mola tecta) being the most recently discovered of the known sunfish species, this was a highly valuable opportunity to learn as much as possible about an animal that we still know very little about!’
On initial examination, the scientists noted the size of this male individual to be smaller than most sunfish species – 81 cm long and 107 from fin to fin. Its oesophagus showed the presence of additional sharp teeth presumably used to ensure that gelatinous prey, like jellyfish or squid, could not escape out of its gut. Its gut contents also revealed a large number of tapeworms weighing in at a total of 375g.
‘With no external injuries suggestive of a cause of death, the reason for this individual’s stranding is inconclusive. Information collected during the examination of this unusual specimen will be sent to scientists working in the US as part of a global effort to understand more about sunfish across the globe,’ the Foundation concluded.
Pictures: Two Oceans Aquarium Education Foundation
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