An ocean sunfish was found dead in the waters off Sandingan Island in Loon town, Bohol province on Tuesday afternoon, Feb. 22, 2022. (PHOTO COURTESY: PRINCESS DELA CRUZ MIAO)
TAGBILARAN CITY — A gigantic ocean sunfish was found dead in the waters off Sandingan Island in Loon town, Bohol province on Tuesday afternoon, Feb. 22.
Fishermen Jake Ganados and Ronnel Dela Cruz found the dead ocean sunfish (Mola mola) at around 4 p.m.
They brought the fish to the Mocpoc Sur wharf, drawing attention from a large crowd who never saw this kind of fish.
Princess Dela Cruz Miao, 15, said it was her first time to see a sunfish that weighed approximately 200 kilos. It was buried by village watchmen on Wednesday early morning.
Oceana.org website says that ocean sunfish is the heaviest bony fish in the world, reaching weights of up to 5100 pounds.
Their food of choice is jellyfish, though they will eat small fish and huge amounts of zooplankton and algae as well, the National Geographic said.
It added that ocean sunfish are harmless to people, but can be very curious and will often approach divers.
Their population is considered vulnerable. Sunfish frequently get snagged in drift gill nets and can suffocate on sea trash, like plastic bags, which resemble jellyfish.