Ocean Sunfish

Ocean Sunfish

Mola Mola
Ocean Sunfish

Family, Genus, Class & Etymology

Family    Mullidae
Description    Goatfishes
Environment    Brackish & Marine
Etymology    Latin, mullus = soft
Genus    6
No. of Species    87
Order    Perciformes
Class    Actinopterygii
Reproductive Guild    Nonguarders
Distribution    Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans, rarely in brackish waters. Elongated body. Dorsal fins far apart. First dorsal fin with 6-8 spines; second dorsal with one spine and 8-9 soft rays, shorter than anal fin. Spines in anal fin 1 or 2, with 5-8 soft rays. Forked caudal fin. Vertebrae 24. Chin with 2 long barbels, which contain chemosensory organs and are used to probe the sand or holes in the reef for benthic invertebrates or small fish. Many brightly colored. Pelagic spawners. Up to 60 cm maximum length. Valued as food fish. Not popular for aquaria, but do well in right settings. Mullus (Latin) = mullet. Habitat: sand-associated, shallow habitats

Other "Popular" Names for this Fish

Makua