You may have heard of an ocean sunfish, but have you seen the hoodwinker sunfish? If not, now is your chance to see one up close and personal on the Oregon Coast.
Fast Facts:
- Hoodwinker sunfish over 7 feet long washed ashore on Gearhart Beach in Oregon.
- Seaside Aquarium encourages people to go see it for themselves.
- Hoodwinker sunfish was discover in 2014
7.3-foot Hoodwinker Sunfish
On June 3rd, a 7.3-foot (221 cm) hoodwinker sunfish washed ashore on Gearhart beach, just north of Seaside, Oregon, and the local Seaside Aquarium encourages people to go see it for themselves.
The Hoodwinker Sunfish
This large, unusual fish created quite a stir on social media, attracting crowds despite the stormy weather. The news soon reached Mariann Nyegaard, a New Zealand-based researcher. The photos suggested it wasn’t the common ocean sunfish (Mola mola) but the hoodwinker sunfish (Mola tecta).
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Hiding in Plain Sight
Nyegaard’s research, involving genetic sampling and observation, revealed this species hiding in plain sight. Initially thought to inhabit only the temperate southern hemisphere, recent sightings in California and Alaska challenged this theory. These fish have likely been misidentified as Mola mola in the Pacific Northwest before.
Nyegaard contacted the Seaside Aquarium for genetic samples. The staff quickly took photographs, measurements, and tissue samples. Nyegaard confirmed through photos that it was indeed a hoodwinker, possibly the largest specimen ever recorded.
Go See It!
This remarkable fish remains on Gearhart beach and is likely to stay for a few more days or weeks, as its tough skin deters scavengers. The aquarium encourages people to visit and see this unique fish for themselves.
Sources:
https://www.facebook.com/SeasideAquarium
