Scuba Season
Vulnerable· population decreasing· assessed 2015

Ocean sunfish

Mola mola

Sighting evidence at Crystal Bay Nusa Penida, Bali

Ocean sunfish

Photo: Randy Puckett · CC BY-NC

The ocean sunfish is the heaviest bony fish on earth, reaching 2.3 m and over 2000 kg. At Crystal Bay individuals ascend from deep water to reef-cleaning stations between 15 and 30 m depth, hovering beside the wall while bannerfish pick parasites from their skin. This behaviour is driven by cold thermoclines rising from the Lombok Strait and runs August through October. A single sunfish per dive is the norm; days with 3 or more have made Crystal Bay one of the most sought-after seasonal dives on earth.

Evidence at this site

27 records within 25 km

Confidence: medium

Seasonality

Jan
Feb
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How is this calculated?

Sighting evidence is compiled from iNaturalist observation records within a set proximity radius, filtered for quality-grade observations. “Last confirmed” is the date of the most recent research-grade record. Record count covers a rolling 24-month window. Confidence reflects record count, recency, and consistency of seasonal signal.

Also seen at other sites