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Good morning all, here we are at Tuesday and the first school day of term 3. Well it is time for this weeks creature and this week we have the Ocean Sunfish.
One of the ocean's true oddities, this disc-shaped creature is one of the world's largest bony fish, measuring up to 3.3 metres I diameter and weighing around 2,000kg bloody hell that's big. That's like the size of a car.
It's bullet-like shape is the result of a tail fin that never grows, it folds in on itself instead and forms a rudder called a clavus. They are clumsy swimmers, waggling their large dorsal and anal fins to move and steering with their clavus.
Often seen sunbaking near the ocean's surface, its oversized dorsal fin cuts through the water and is commonly mistaken for a shark.
This giant fish only has a taste for jellyfish, zooplankton and algae. They are harmless to people, but can be very curious and will often approach divers.
They often become so overrun with parasites that they jump yp yo 3m out of the ocean, landing with a slap on the surface, to try and get rid of them.
Wow they are interesting creatures. I had no idea. Thanks
ReplyDeleteThey are interesting and new to me
DeleteThat and the oarfish were the plastic ones I got in cereal boxes when I was a kid, instead of the hammerhead shark I wanted, lol
ReplyDeleteWhen did we get the toy we wanted from the cereal box, I never did
DeleteThat is a really odd fish I have never heard of! Wow! :)
ReplyDeleteA new fish to me as well
DeleteMy Jo-Anne, never heard of such a fish.
ReplyDeleteSame here
DeleteWhat a strange creature. Very long, yet still eaten by killer whales and sharks!!
ReplyDeleteI know weird shit
DeleteI have never seen one before. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome
DeleteAnother new one on me!
ReplyDeleteNew to most of us
DeleteI have heard of them but never knew they were THAT big. Poor guys stressed by parasites!
ReplyDeleteThe parasites must be annoying for them
DeleteNever heard of them, but I like that they eat jellyfish.
ReplyDeleteYeah new to me as well
DeleteWeird is right
ReplyDeleteInteresting the creatures that live in the sea. Hope you're doing well. It's crazy hot here and even though we are a long way from Canada we've had hazy air for three days due to their fires. I can't imagine living in the fire zone.
ReplyDeleteIt is an interesting creature there are a lot of interesting creatures in the world
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