Huge Sunfish Found Off Florida Coast

Residents and tourists in the Florida Keys were treated to a rare sight last week when a large sunfish was spotted swimming just offshore. The fish was estimated to weigh between 500 and 600 pounds, making it one of the largest sunfish ever seen in the area.

Sunfish, also known as mola mola, are an unusual looking fish that can reach up to three feet in length and weigh up to 2,000 pounds. They are found in both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, where they usually stay near the surface of the water. Sunfish are not considered a commercially important fish, but they are popular with sport fishermen.

Divers who were lucky enough to see the sunfish swimming off Key Largo said that it was an awe-inspiring sight. "It's not every day you see something that big swimming around in the ocean," said one diver. "I've never seen anything like it."

While sunfish are not typically considered dangerous to humans, they can be dangerous if they are approached too closely. They have been known to use their weight and sharp teeth to defend themselves against predators.

Massive Sunfish Washes Ashore in California

​ Beachgoers in California were stunned over the weekend when a massive sunfish washed ashore.

The fish is estimated to weigh 400 pounds and measure six feet in diameter. It is unclear why the sunfish ended up on the beach, but biologists say it is not uncommon for the creatures to travel close to shore when they are sick or dying.

"It's definitely a weird occurrence," said Rich Johnson, a biologist with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. "We don't know how it got up there, but it's possible it just swam too close to shore and got stranded."

Johnson said that while the sunfish may look scary, it is actually a very gentle creature and poses no threat to humans. He added that the fish will eventually decompose and create an unpleasant smell, so authorities are working to remove it as quickly as possible.

Sunfish, also known as Mola molas, are the heaviest bony fish in the world and can weigh up to 2,200 pounds. They typically live in deep water, but sometimes come close to shore when they are sick or dying.

Another Sunfish Washed Up on a Beach in Oregon

For the second time this month, a sunfish has been found washed up on the shore of an Oregon beach. The latest incident took place at Agate Beach, near Newport, and it's unclear exactly how the fish got there.

This isn't the first time a sunfish has been spotted in Oregon - in July of last year, one was found on a beach in Lincoln City. But it's still pretty unusual to see these creatures so far north.

Sunfish are usually found near the equator, where they feed on jellyfish. They can grow to be quite large, measuring up to 3 meters in length and weighing nearly 500 kg.

Despite their size, sunfish are not aggressive predators and are generally considered harmless to humans. They're more likely to get run over by a boat than attacked by a shark!

So what's going on with these sunfish sightings in Oregon? Nobody is really sure, but some people are speculating that changing ocean temperatures might be responsible. Warmer water could be pushing these fish further north than they're used to, causing them to wash up on beaches where they don't normally appear.

Tourists Catch Sunfish Off Rhode Island Coast

Residents and visitors alike enjoyed a sunny day at the beach recently, with many people coming out to enjoy the waves and sunshine. However, something a little different was caught by some of the fishermen on the scene that day - sunfish!

The strange looking fish were hauled in by some lucky anglers who happened to be enjoying the water off Rhode Island when they made their catch. The fish are recognizable by their large, flat bodies and protruding dorsal fins, and are usually found in warmer waters.

While they may look exotic and out of place in the cooler Atlantic Ocean, sunfish are actually common sights in harbors and nearshore areas along the East Coast during the summer months. And, while they may not be considered table fare by most, they are edible and reportedly taste like cod or haddock.

Fishermen who caught these sunfish say that they will be releasing them back into the ocean after taking a few pictures - after all, it's not every day you get to reel in a sunfish!

30-Pound Sunfish Caught by 12-Year-Old Girl

Angie Elliott, a 12-year-old girl from Louisiana, recently reeled in a massive sunfish while fishing with her grandfather. The fish weighed in at an impressive 30 pounds and measured over three feet in length.

"I was really excited when I caught it," Elliott said of the unusual catch. "It was my first time fishing for sunfish, and I wasn't expecting to catch one that big."

Sunfish are not typically known for their size, but this specimen is certainly an exception. Anglers often catch them measuring just a few inches in length, so the 30-pounder is quite a prize.

Elliott's grandfather was equally impressed by the catch. "I've been fishing for 50 years and I've never seen anything like that," he said.

The young angler plans to mount the fish on display in her home, where it will surely be a conversation starter for guests. She also intends to release the fish back into the wild so that others may have a chance to experience its impressive size firsthand.