The Sunfish

The Giant Gentle Of The Oceans

The Sunfish

The Giant Gentle Of The Oceans

TYPE
Mola Alexandrini

TYPE
Mola Alexandrini

SIZE
4 meters and up to 2 tones

SIZE
4 meters and
up to
2 tones

SEASON
Mid-July to Mid-October

SEASON
Mid-July
to Mid-October

HABITAT
400 – 600
meters depth

HABITAT
400 – 600 meters depth

The Dwellers Of The Depth

What Do We Know About Mola Mola Bali

The most famous resident of all is the Mola mola Nusa Lembongan. People travel all over the world to see this strange fish. Many do not believe that it exists until they see it with their own eyes! Luckily, our waters are the best place to spot Mola mola in the entire world.

They can be seen most often from July to October. Come diving with us and discover this peculiar animal!
The Mola mola Nusa Lembongan belongs to a family called Ocean Sunfish. Contrary to popular belief, the most common sunfish species in our waters is not actually the Mola mola. Rather, you will most likely spot the Mola Alexandrini, also known as the Bumphead sunfish.  However, it is possible to see other species of sunfish. Mola mola, also known as the Common sunfish have been spotted in our waters on several occasions. 

They are simply massive fish. In fact, they are the largest bony fish in the world. They can reach over 4m tall, 3m long, and weigh over 2000kg. This is definitely a huge bucket list sighting for divers all around the world.The Sunfish on average have a lifespan of around 20 years. When a Mola is born they are only 2mm long! However, they grow extremely quickly. They have been recorded to gain 364kg in 14 months! Sunfish have a wide diet. They consume everything from squid, eelgrass, crustaceans, fish, sponges, jellyfish, and eels. As they get older they tend to eat more gelatinous zooplankton and jellyfish.

Furthermore, they come in a range of gray and white colors. Some have polka-dotted patterns and sheens. Thus, their coloration can depend on regions. The Sunfish in Bali are usually darker than those in Southern California. Additionally, they are able to change colors when under stress, turning from light to dark.

The reason why our waters are such a great place to spot Sunfish is because of our thermoclines. That is when warm water suddenly shifts to much colder water. The warm water layers itself on top of the cold water without mixing. The cold swells come from seasonal upwelling from the Indian Ocean. That means that water temperatures can dip to as low as 16 Celcius! However, the good thing is that Mola is attracted to this. Time to squeeze into those thick wetsuits!

The Nusa Penida Marine Protected Area is proud to be one of the only places in the world to see these creatures consistently. They reside here year-round, and if you are lucky, you may spot them sunbathing! That is where the term “sunfish” comes from! Nevertheless, they are most often spotted from 20-40m. This means that you should get your Advanced Open Water and Deep Specialty to have the best chance of seeing them.

The best dive site to see Mola is Crystal Bay. There are several cleaning stations here. It is crucial for the Mola to be cleaned as they are very susceptible to parasites. You will likely see fish such as the Longfin bannerfish and Emperor angelfish nibbling at the Sunfish. Moreover, our waters are the only place in the world where you can see Emperor angelfish cleaning the Mola. It is truly unique to see these beautifully patterned fish circle the large sunfish.

All That Makes You Want To Meet Them

Fun Facts About Mola Mola Bali

Sunfishes can be found in most oceans all over the world. However, their size is usually rather small and it will not be easy to localize their cleaning station. While here in the Nusa Penida Marine Protected Area, scientific studies run for many years and we know exactly when and where to find them.

Smaller than kangaroo babies at birth

The baby ocean fish do not get bigger than a grain of rice. As larvae, they’ll measure 0,25cm but will undergo 60 million times an increase in mass the reach 3 meters in their adulthood. _Source: Gudger (1936) in Pope et al (2010)

A colossal fish

Being the heaviest bony fish on earth, Ocean sunfish can hugely grow. The record is held by a Mola Alexandrini. With 3.1m from the snout tip to the “tail” fin and 4.26m from the dorsal fin to the anal fin tip, this enormous fish was struck by a boat off Sydney, in September 1908. _Source: Sawai et al. (2018)

Incredibly high reproduction

The Ocean Sunfish holds another record here by producing approximately 300 million eggs. This immense number of eggs was found inside the ovary of a 1.37m female. _Source: Schmidt (1921)

Conservation & Code Of Conduct

How To Dive With Mola Mola In Bali

For those interested in conservation, we provide a 3,5 days program focused on the marine megafauna of the Nusa Penida Marine Sanctuary. Throughout this training, you will seek to gather data, track populations, and promote the protection of these legendary creatures. Through a partnership with the citizen science initiative known as Match My Mola, individuals have the opportunity to contribute images of sunfish, thereby enhancing the tracking and comprehension of the migratory patterns exhibited by these animals.

Learn More

Mola Conduct Guidelines

  • Do not touch any marine life or anything when scuba diving. If a Mola Mola approaches you, stay still and do not touch!
  • Approach Molas slowly and in their field of vision. Do not splash the water and never surround them.

  • Do not approach the cleaning station. When the cleaning fish is disturbed, the station is damaged and Molas may not return.
  • Keep at least 3 meters between you and the closest Mola Mola.
  • When they are not cleaning or approaching the reef, stay 10 meters away.
  • Do not be closer to the Mola than your guide.
  • Do not go directly behind the Mola. They will interpret this as predatory behavior.
  • Do not go directly below or above the Mola Mola. This will disturb them. However, if they swim above you please try not to blow many bubbles.
  • Do not block their escape route or chase them.
  • Never use diver propulsion vehicles or any other loud gadgets around them.
  • Listen to your dive guide!
  • Be careful around the coral and maintain good buoyancy.

This set of guidelines has been created for a safe and fun time when diving with Molas. At the same time, we aim to ensure the health and safety of our resident wildlife. The main goal is for the Molas to be undisturbed at cleaning stations. It is very important for them to be cleaned of parasites at these stations. Once settled, they will remain for long periods of time. This definitely allows for a better dive. Click HERE to download the guideline.

For additional information on how we can protect the reef and better our behavior with underwater marine life, click HERE. The Nusa Penida Marine Protected Area made this video so that we treat our oceans the way they should be.

The Dwellers Of The Depth

What Do We Know About Mola Mola Bali

The most famous resident of all is the Mola mola Nusa Lembongan. People travel all over the world to see this strange fish. Many do not believe that it exists until they see it with their own eyes! Luckily, our waters are the best place to spot Mola mola in the entire world.

They can be seen most often from July to October. Come diving with us and discover this peculiar animal!
The Mola mola Nusa Lembongan belongs to a family called Ocean Sunfish. Contrary to popular belief, the most common sunfish species in our waters is not actually the Mola mola. Rather, you will most likely spot the Mola Alexandrini, also known as the Bumphead sunfish.  However, it is possible to see other species of sunfish. Mola mola, also known as the Common sunfish have been spotted in our waters on several occasions. 

They are simply massive fish. In fact, they are the largest bony fish in the world. They can reach over 4m tall, 3m long, and weigh over 2000kg. This is definitely a huge bucket list sighting for divers all around the world.The Sunfish on average have a lifespan of around 20 years. When a Mola is born they are only 2mm long! However, they grow extremely quickly. They have been recorded to gain 364kg in 14 months! Sunfish have a wide diet. They consume everything from squid, eelgrass, crustaceans, fish, sponges, jellyfish, and eels. As they get older they tend to eat more gelatinous zooplankton and jellyfish.

Furthermore, they come in a range of gray and white colors. Some have polka-dotted patterns and sheens. Thus, their coloration can depend on regions. The Sunfish in Bali are usually darker than those in Southern California. Additionally, they are able to change colors when under stress, turning from light to dark.

The reason why our waters are such a great place to spot Sunfish is because of our thermoclines. That is when warm water suddenly shifts to much colder water. The warm water layers itself on top of the cold water without mixing. The cold swells come from seasonal upwelling from the Indian Ocean. That means that water temperatures can dip to as low as 16 Celcius! However, the good thing is that Mola is attracted to this. Time to squeeze into those thick wetsuits!

The Nusa Penida Marine Protected Area is proud to be one of the only places in the world to see these creatures consistently. They reside here year-round, and if you are lucky, you may spot them sunbathing! That is where the term “sunfish” comes from! Nevertheless, they are most often spotted from 20-40m. This means that you should get your Advanced Open Water and Deep Specialty to have the best chance of seeing them.

The best dive site to see Mola is Crystal Bay. There are several cleaning stations here. It is crucial for the Mola to be cleaned as they are very susceptible to parasites. You will likely see fish such as the Longfin bannerfish and Emperor angelfish nibbling at the Sunfish. Moreover, our waters are the only place in the world where you can see Emperor angelfish cleaning the Mola. It is truly unique to see these beautifully patterned fish circle the large sunfish.

All That Makes You Want To Meet Them

Fun Facts About Mola Mola Bali

Sunfishes can be found in most oceans all over the world. However, their size is usually rather small and it will not be easy to localize their cleaning station. While here in the Nusa Penida Marine Protected Area, scientific studies run for many years and we know exactly when and where to find them.

Smaller than kangaroo babies at birth

The baby ocean fish do not get bigger than a grain of rice. As larvae, they’ll measure 0,25cm but will undergo 60 million times an increase in mass the reach 3 meters in their adulthood. _Source: Gudger (1936) in Pope et al (2010)

A colossal fish
Being the heaviest bony fish on earth, Ocean sunfish can hugely grow. The record is held by a Mola Alexandrini. With 3.1m from the snout tip to the “tail” fin and 4.26m from the dorsal fin to the anal fin tip, this enormous fish was struck by a boat off Sydney, in September 1908. _Source: Sawai et al. (2018)

Incredibly high reproduction
The Ocean Sunfish holds another record here by producing approximately 300 million eggs. This immense number of eggs was found inside the ovary of a 1.37m female. _Source: Schmidt (1921)

Conservation & Code Of Conduct

How To Dive With Mola Mola In Bali

For those interested in conservation, we provide a 3,5 days program focused on the marine megafauna of the Nusa Penida Marine Sanctuary. Throughout this training, you will seek to gather data, track populations, and promote the protection of these legendary creatures. Through a partnership with the citizen science initiative known as Match My Mola, individuals have the opportunity to contribute images of sunfish, thereby enhancing the tracking and comprehension of the migratory patterns exhibited by these animals.

Learn More

Mola Conduct Guidelines

  • Do not touch any marine life or anything when scuba diving. If a Mola Mola approaches you, stay still and do not touch!
  • Approach Molas slowly and in their field of vision. Do not splash the water and never surround them.

  • Do not approach the cleaning station. When the cleaning fish is disturbed, the station is damaged and Molas may not return.
  • Keep at least 3 meters between you and the closest Mola Mola.
  • When they are not cleaning or approaching the reef, stay 10 meters away.
  • Do not be closer to the Mola than your guide.
  • Do not go directly behind the Mola. They will interpret this as predatory behavior.
  • Do not go directly below or above the Mola Mola. This will disturb them. However, if they swim above you please try not to blow many bubbles.
  • Do not block their escape route or chase them.
  • Never use diver propulsion vehicles or any other loud gadgets around them.
  • Listen to your dive guide!
  • Be careful around the coral and maintain good buoyancy.

This set of guidelines has been created for a safe and fun time when diving with Molas. At the same time, we aim to ensure the health and safety of our resident wildlife. The main goal is for the Molas to be undisturbed at cleaning stations. It is very important for them to be cleaned of parasites at these stations. Once settled, they will remain for long periods of time. This definitely allows for a better dive. Click HERE to download the guideline.

For additional information on how we can protect the reef and better our behavior with underwater marine life, click HERE. The Nusa Penida Marine Protected Area made this video so that we treat our oceans the way they should be.