How do you cheer up a lonely sunfish?

Believe it or not, that was the conundrum faced by staff at Kaikyokan Aquarium in Shimonoseki, southern Japan, when their sunfish showed signs of distress after the facility closed for renovations in December 2024.

In a recent post on social media platform X, aquarium staff revealed that the sunfish's health began to decline shortly after the aquarium's doors closed to the public. Staff members were puzzled about the cause of the fish's malaise, trying different measures to stimulate its appetite and brighten its spirits. One particularly creative staff member suggested, 'Maybe it’s lonely because it misses the visitors?'

An Unconventional Approach

Though initially skeptical, the team decided to try an unconventional approach. They adorned the tank with the uniforms of the staff and created cardboard cutouts of people to fill the void left by the absence of visitors. Astonishingly, the very next day, the sunfish appeared to bounce back and regained its health!

Photos shared by the aquarium depict the sunfish curiously inspecting its new 'friends,' with its eye directed towards the life-sized cardboard figures ornamenting the tank. Staff have also made a habit of waving at the sunfish, further enhancing the aquarium's efforts to uplift its tank mate.

The Sunfish's Behavior

While it may sound far-fetched, the aquarium noted that this sunfish is known for its inquisitive nature, often swimming to the front of the tank to greet visitors. However, once the crowd vanished, the fish began neglecting its jellyfish diet and rubbing its body against the tank. Concerned staff soon suspected that it might be experiencing digestive troubles or even a parasite infestation, according to Japanese newspaper Mainichi Shimbun.

About Ocean Sunfish

Ocean sunfish, known for their immense size, typically inhabit temperate and tropical seas around the globe, sometimes washing ashore in locations as diverse as Australia, California, and Portugal. They can grow to staggering weights of up to 1,900 kilograms (more than 3,300 pounds) and reach lengths of nearly 3.3 meters (about 11 feet). While the sunfish at Kaikyokan may not be a giant, it still exhibits the species’ characteristic lopsided bullet shape and elegant long fins.

A Lesson in Compassion

This innovative approach at the aquarium serves as a reminder of the profound connection between animals and humans. In a world where even fish can experience loneliness, it seems the power of companionship—be it real or cardboard—can work wonders. Who knew that a little creativity and compassion could make such a big difference?