Ocean Sunfish (Mola mola)

Also known as Common Mola, these heavy bony fishes are fairly commonly seen in NC waters from pelagic birding trips off Cape Hatteras and Oregon Inlet. These fish are distantly related to puffer fish and are believed to be fairly evolutionarily advanced. They have relatively small mouths and eat jellyfish and other soft-bodied organisms. The largest known specimen measured 10 feet long and weighed in at an impressive 4927 pounds! For more information on ocean sunfished (Family Molidae), see OceanSunfish.org
Ocean Sunfish (Mola mola)

Off Cape Hatteras, NC
18 Feb 2012

Ocean Sunfish (Mola mola)

Off Cape Hatteras, NC
18 Feb 2012

Ocean Sunfish (Mola mola)

Off Cape Hatteras, NC
18 Feb 2012


Ocean Sunfish (Mola mola) Ocean Sunfish (Mola mola)

Off Cape Hatteras, NC
21 Feb 2009

Ocean Sunfish (Mola mola) Ocean Sunfish (Mola mola)

Off Cape Hatteras, NC
21 Feb 2009

Ocean Sunfish (Mola mola) Ocean Sunfish (Mola mola)

Off Cape Hatteras, NC
21 Feb 2009

Ocean Sunfish (Mola mola) Ocean Sunfish (Mola mola)

Off Cape Hatteras, NC
21 Feb 2009

Ocean Sunfish (Mola mola) Ocean Sunfish (Mola mola)

Off Cape Hatteras, NC
21 Feb 2009

Ocean Sunfish (Mola mola) Ocean Sunfish (Mola mola)

Off Cape Hatteras, NC
21 Feb 2009


Ocean Sunfish (Mola mola) Ocean Sunfish (Mola mola)

Off Cape Hatteras, NC
5 March 2006

This was one of the largest Ocean Sunfishes I've ever seen. It was easily 6-8 feet long and quite massive.
Ocean Sunfish (Mola mola) Ocean Sunfish (Mola mola)

Off Cape Hatteras, NC
5 March 2006

Ocean Sunfish (Mola mola) Ocean Sunfish (Mola mola)

Off Cape Hatteras, NC
5 March 2006

Usually one finds an Ocean Sunfish by noticing a floppy fin over a large blob in the water.
Ocean Sunfish (Mola mola) Ocean Sunfish (Mola mola)

Off Cape Hatteras, NC
5 March 2006


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Created on ... March 7, 2006 | jeffpippen9@gmail.com