MOLA WHAT? Sunfish in Bali have almost always been referred to as - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

MOLA

THE AMAZING OCEAN SUNFISH

Georgina Hayes

PADI SI #411108 BSc Hons. Zoology

MOLA WHAT?

• Sunfish in Bali have almost always

been referred to as Mola Mola

• Actual species name is “mola

ramseyi” or “bumphead sunfish”

• In 2017 it was found that this species

had actually been already described in 1839 as “mola alexandrini” and this is the mola’s true name.

(zubludiving, 2019)

MEET THE MOLA

• Mola mola – or common sunfish is

heaviest known bony fish – can weigh up to 1000kg!

• Length can reach up to 3.5m
• Mola Alexandrini has a temperature

range between 10 and 27.5∘ C and depths from the surface to 250 m. Dive depths can extend below 400 m, They basically look like a giant squashed football!

(zubludiving, 2019)

This unusual fish swims by flapping its long pectoral and dorsal fins; the caudal fin is used as a rudder (for steering) One of the interesting structures that ocean sunfish have is a thick layer of collagen just under the very thin, rough skin. This white tissue is hard and surrounds the body cavity of the fish. No one is sure

• f the function of this tissues, but it is assumed as

protection for the organs

nebshark.org

Skeleton of Mola mola By their “teenage years” they will no longer have a tail fin, no ribs, a fused spine and their beak like mouth will stay permanently open

(Naturhistorisches Museum Wien, 2009)

The female Mola can produce more eggs at once than any

• ther known vertebrae – 300 at
• nce!

At birth – Mola larvae are star shaped and the size of a pin head On a diet of jellyfish they can grow up to 60million times their

• riginal weight

(G. David Johnson, 2005)

WHAT DO THEY EAT?

• Mola have the unique ability to suck in

water and spit it out to attack prey

• Feed on jellyfish, brittle stars and

comb jellies – both deep and shallow water.

• Diet is nutritionally poor
• Claw like teeth in throat which rips

apart food.

(Georgina Hayes 2019)

• Mola anecdotally prefer the colder water –

mola season is known for it’s crazy thermoclines

• Temperatures in the south can be 18 degrees

and even dip lower

• To better understand the relationship between

mola and temperature the “Bali Ocean Sunfish Research Project” have been using temperature logging devices underwater since 2013

SOME LIKE IT COLD…

• Currently it is believed

they like to live in deep colder water – best time to see mola is when the water temperature drops! (June - October)

• Use upwellings of cold

water to approach the surface to be cleaned

(Robert Delfs 2008)

SPA DAY FOR THE MOLA

• Mola approaching the surface

are there to be cleaned

• Up to 50 parasites in and

around mola have been found – hence the need for cleaning!

• Bannerfish and seagulls aid

cleaning process

(Tamarind Divers 2019)

THREATS TO SURVIVAL THREATS TO SURVIVAL

(Reinhard Dirscherl 2010) (MensJournal.com 2019) (University of Tasmania 2018)

MOLA CITIZEN SCIENCE

• Photo submissions from the public can

help with identification, recognising individuals and species injury rates SO WHAT MAKES A GOOD PHOTO?

• Side on photos – one side is fine, both

sides if possible is better

• As few obstructions as possible
• Images clear enough to see skin

patterns

• No photo manipulation

http://www.thebalisunfish.org/matchmymola/

MOLA CITIZEN SCIENCE

DON’T FORGET THE DATA!

• Date of sighting
• Time of sighting
• Dive site
• Depth of Mola – estimation is fine
• Coldest temperature on the dive
• A name! If the mola is unnamed then

you get to name it!

http://www.thebalisunfish.org/matchmymola/

MOLA CODE OF CONDUCT

• Always approach Mola Mola very slowly within its field of

view.

• If the fish are just entering the cleaning station, do not

approach until the cleaning has begun and the fish have been stationary for at least 1 minute.

• Maintain a minimum distance of 3m (or 2 body lengths) from

the closest sunfish when animal is at a cleaning station.

• Maintain a minimum distance of 10m (or 5 body lengths)

when an animal is unsettled (not in cleaning) and considering approach to the reef.

• DO NOT TOUCH.

(Coral Triangle Centre – MMF)

• DO NOT FEED.
• Do not swim behind the Mola Mola as this can startle the

animal.

• Do not swim under the fish as your bubbles will disturb

cleaning behaviour.

• Wherever possible, do not block the Mola Mola’s escape route
• ff the reef or pathway onto a cleaning station.
• If a Mola Mola approaches you, remain still and do not touch it.

If you touch it, you will remove the layer of mucus that protects it against infection.

MOLA CODE OF CONDUCT

(Coral Triangle Centre – MMF)

• Do not use flash photography as this often disturbs the fish.
• Do not use personal underwater motorized propulsion

vehicles or make unnecessary loud noises.

• Be courteous to other divers and restrict your interaction time

to 5 minutes when other groups are present.

• Only dive with companies which have endorsed and adhere to

the Code of Conduct. Follow the directions of your dive guide.

MOLA CODE OF CONDUCT

(Coral Triangle Centre – MMF)

(The Green Fins)

(The Green Fins)

WANT TO FIND OUT MORE?

• https://www.zubludiving.com/conservation/the-bali-ocean-sunfish-

research-project

• http://www.thebalisunfish.org/matchmymola/
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mola_alexandrini
• https://australianmuseum.net.au/learn/animals/fishes/southern-
• cean-sunfish-mola-ramsayi/
• https://www.newscientist.com/article/2155913-record-breaking-

two-tonne-fish-is-the-heaviest-of-its-kind/

• https://marinemegafaunafoundation.org/

ANY QUESTIONS?

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