World's Largest Sunbather

         Sunbathing, almost everyone enjoys it. Even my cat can't resist the bright patch of sunlight dancing on the carpet. Did you know that there is a fish that also likes sunbathing? It is often seen floating on the surface of the water. This has lead to one of its nicknames: Moon-fish. Sailors had mistaken this floating fish to be a reflection of the moon. This strange fish is actually called the Ocean Sunfish.
         The Ocean Sunfish is the largest bony fish in the world. The biggest one measured eleven feet long and weighed 5,100 pounds. That's over two and a half tons! Even though they are so big, they have a brain roughly the size of a small nut. They are found in warmer waters of the oceans, ranging from California to Australia.
         It's circular shape is unique. While it is growing, the tail does not grow with the rest of the body, and the body continues to grow where the tail would normally be. Instead of a tail fin, it has a "clavus", or fan of bony fins. It also has a high dorsal fin and a long anal fin. The Ocean Sunfish gets around by "sculling", or by waving these fins from side to side. This graceful movement seems out of place with such an awkward looking fish. It is often mistaken for a shark when it's dorsal fin sticks out of the water.
         Even though they are so big, we don't need to be afraid of them. These peaceful creatures have a tiny mouth and their teeth have fused together to form a beak. They eat jellyfish and zooplankton. Some have even been seen squirting water out of their mouth and gills, flushing food from the ocean's sandy bottom.
         You may wonder why they sunbathe. They do this to relieve themselves of parasites. They have a rough, sandpaper-like skin that is covered in mucous. Parasites love this. By floating on the surface of the water, seabirds come along and clean the parasites off. Ocean Sunfish have also been seen "breaching" or leaping from the water. This is also a way to get rid of the pesky parasites.
         Their only predators are Orcas, Sea-Lions, dolphins, and marlin. People, too, are a threat to these gentle giants. Not only do they get caught in fishing nets, but carelessness causes them suffering and death. Floating plastic bags look just like their favorite food, jellyfish. The fish either choke when they try to swallow the bags or starve when the bags clog their stomachs. We can do our part by picking up any loose garbage we may see when we are at the beach.
         The next time you visit an aquarium, look for one of these amazing fish. Seeing one in person is an experience you will never forget. Remember them the next time you soak up some rays. Some of the happiest sunbathers are, after all, fish.