Isabela and Fernandina Islands
Holy mola! Today has been a “mola day”! Everybody talked and still talks about molas. But wait a second, you probably are wondering now, what’s a mola mola? It is the peculiar scientific name of a very odd looking fish. The Latin word “mola” means literally “to mill.” The odd oval shape of this critter resembles a huge “milling wheel.” Its common English name is “oceanic sunfish.” The fish looks like a giant sized pancake with two unusually large dorsal and anal fins. Its tail is scalloped and inconspicuous; it looks like it has been bitten off. Its skin is elephant like, and about six inches thick. This thick skin is for protection against predators and may also help the fish to insulate against high pressures and cold temperatures.
The natural history and biology of the molas, although poorly understood, is fascinating. They start their life as a tiny larva, one tenth of an inch long. They can grow to gargantuan sizes. If the fish reaches adulthood it can gain over sixty million times its starting weight! The current mola record holder is one that was found in Japan. The fish weighed 5,072 pounds and was more than 10 feet in diameter. A mature female can produce more eggs than any other vertebrate on Earth: 300 million eggs! Isn’t that amazing?
It was certainly a thrill to observe this fish today. During our Zodiac ride around Punta Vicente Roca on Isabela Island, we spotted several of them swimming close to the surface. The weather conditions were almost perfect; calm winds and crystal waters allowed us to see the molas clearly. It was one of the best sightings I have ever had. One mola was swimming very close to our Zodiac as you can tell by looking at today’s picture.
During the past years, I have became a mola fan. There is a halo of fascination and charm surrounding this giant fish. The more I read or learn, the more interested I am. Scientists in many parts of the world are researching on this species. In the very near future more scientific studies have to be done to learn about and understand their Ecology. We know nothing about the distribution and genetics of this fascinating fish in the Galápagos. If you are interested in this fish you can find more information on past Daily Expedition Reports. Stay in touch with us, as in future reports we will let you know news about upcoming research on the molas.
Holy mola! Today has been a “mola day”! Everybody talked and still talks about molas. But wait a second, you probably are wondering now, what’s a mola mola? It is the peculiar scientific name of a very odd looking fish. The Latin word “mola” means literally “to mill.” The odd oval shape of this critter resembles a huge “milling wheel.” Its common English name is “oceanic sunfish.” The fish looks like a giant sized pancake with two unusually large dorsal and anal fins. Its tail is scalloped and inconspicuous; it looks like it has been bitten off. Its skin is elephant like, and about six inches thick. This thick skin is for protection against predators and may also help the fish to insulate against high pressures and cold temperatures.
The natural history and biology of the molas, although poorly understood, is fascinating. They start their life as a tiny larva, one tenth of an inch long. They can grow to gargantuan sizes. If the fish reaches adulthood it can gain over sixty million times its starting weight! The current mola record holder is one that was found in Japan. The fish weighed 5,072 pounds and was more than 10 feet in diameter. A mature female can produce more eggs than any other vertebrate on Earth: 300 million eggs! Isn’t that amazing?
It was certainly a thrill to observe this fish today. During our Zodiac ride around Punta Vicente Roca on Isabela Island, we spotted several of them swimming close to the surface. The weather conditions were almost perfect; calm winds and crystal waters allowed us to see the molas clearly. It was one of the best sightings I have ever had. One mola was swimming very close to our Zodiac as you can tell by looking at today’s picture.
During the past years, I have became a mola fan. There is a halo of fascination and charm surrounding this giant fish. The more I read or learn, the more interested I am. Scientists in many parts of the world are researching on this species. In the very near future more scientific studies have to be done to learn about and understand their Ecology. We know nothing about the distribution and genetics of this fascinating fish in the Galápagos. If you are interested in this fish you can find more information on past Daily Expedition Reports. Stay in touch with us, as in future reports we will let you know news about upcoming research on the molas.
