Enormous Sunfish Is Mistaken for a Shipwreck on Australian Beach

Sunfish aren’t usually found in that area, as they typically roam in the open ocean waters where they can feast on jellyfish. Their name itself comes from their habit of basking in the sun for warmth before diving hundreds of feet underwater.

According to Ralph Foster, the fish collection manager at the South Australian Museum, not much is known about the fish. They can, however, do a good deal of damage to passing ships in the event of a collision.

As large as the fish might have appeared, according to Foster this particular sunfish is just average-sized. “They can get nearly twice as big as that,” he said.

Earlier this month, a six-feet-eight-inch sunfish (a Mola tecta this time) washed up on the shores of California.

H/T: The Guardian