Tag Archives: Mola mola

The ocean temperature has been warmer than usual, nearly four degrees above normal. That is surely the reason an unusual fish appeared off our coast near Anchor Bay. Richard Lewis saw it from his boat about 50 yards off the front of Fish Rocks. It was cruising north on the current.

Mola mola by Richard Lewis

This disc-shaped fish is also called a Sunfish and their favorite food is Jellyfish. On average they weigh two thousand pounds! Several days later a juvenile Mola mola washed up on the beach at Cooks Beach. That had me wondering if this was a pregnant female. But no, I'm told. Mola mola females lay eggs, millions of them. Then the male fertilizes the eggs. Less than one percent of the eggs survive. So it must have been coincidence that a juvenile was also seen.

Thanks to Richard for allowing me to share his photo with  you here.

 

There have been sightings of a Gray Whale or two off the Mendonoma Coast. This whale was photographed by John Batchelder. It was seen off of The Sea Ranch.

Another Gray Whale was spotted by Ken Bailey off of Point Arena. Ken was out in his boat when he saw the whale. But Ken saw something else that really surprised him - a Mola mola. They like warm water so this might be a sign the Tuna are or will soon be running. No photo of the very strange-looking Sunfish. Ken said it was so big a Gull was sitting on it! Amazing.
Thanks to John for allowing me to share his photo with you here.