A sunfish caught in 1910, with an estimated weight of 1600kg (3500lbs)
The ocean sunfish resembles a fish head with a tail. Its
caudal fin is replaced by a rounded clavus, creating the body's distinct shape. The main body is flattened laterally, giving it a long oval shape when seen head-on. The pectoral fins are small and fan-shaped. However, the dorsal fin and the anal fin are lengthened, often making the fish as tall as it is long. Specimens up to 3.2 m (10.5 ft) in height have been recorded.
[7]
The ocean sunfish has an average length of 1.8 m (5.9 ft), and an average weight of 1,000 kg (2,200 lb),
[1] although individuals up to 3.3 m (10.8 ft) in length
[7] 4.2 m (14 ft) across the fins
[8] and weighing up to 2,300 kg (5,100 lb)
[9] have been observed.
The spinal column of
M. mola contains fewer
vertebrae and is shorter in relation to the body than that of any other fish.
[10] The spinal cord of a specimen measuring 2.1 m (6.9 ft) in length is under 25 mm (1 in) long.
[11] Even though sunfish descended from
bony ancestors, its skeleton actually contains largely
cartilaginous tissues, which are lighter than
bone, allowing it to grow to sizes impractical for other bony fishes.
[10] [11] This is also illustrated by the fact that the largest fish in existence today is the
whale shark, an entirely boneless fish.
Fish identification help
ol mr black bass( small& large mouth etc) is not a bass at all but a sunfish & not a very big sunfish compared to some
..
