On January 20, 2025, the Kaikyokan Aquarium in Shimonoseki, Japan, reported that its sunfish recovered from a period of illness after staff implemented an unusual solution. The aquarium staff believed the sunfish might have been lonely due to the absence of visitors during renovations, prompting them to create makeshift “people” using cardboard cutouts and uniforms.
- Japanese aquarium staff address sunfish loneliness
- Sunfish's health improved with staff uniforms
- Fish stopped eating after visitor absence
- Ocean sunfish can weigh up to 1,900 kg
- Sumida Aquarium used FaceTime for eels
- Creative solutions for animal interaction challenges
The Kaikyokan Aquarium’s sunfish, known for its curious nature, became unwell shortly after the facility closed for renovations in December 2024. The staff observed that the fish was no longer eating its jellyfish meals and began to rub against the tank, indicating potential health issues. They initially struggled to identify the cause of its distress.
In an effort to address the situation, one staff member suggested that the sunfish might be lonely without visitors. Although they were skeptical, they decided to attach cardboard cutouts of people wearing staff uniforms to the tank. Remarkably, the next day, the sunfish showed signs of recovery and resumed its normal behavior.
Ocean sunfish are known for their large size, with some individuals weighing up to 1,900 kilograms (over 3,300 pounds) and measuring up to 3.3 meters (nearly 11 feet) long. While the sunfish at the aquarium is smaller, it shares the species’ distinctive bullet-shaped body and long fins. The aquarium noted that this particular sunfish would swim to the front of its tank to interact with visitors, suggesting a level of social engagement.
This incident is not unique to the Kaikyokan Aquarium. During the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020, Tokyo’s Sumida Aquarium faced similar challenges and invited volunteers to FaceTime its shy spotted garden eels, which had become unresponsive without human interaction. These creative solutions demonstrate the significance of social stimuli for various marine species.
The Kaikyokan Aquarium’s innovative approach to cheering up its sunfish illustrates how human interaction can impact the well-being of aquatic animals. By using cardboard cutouts to simulate visitors, the aquarium successfully revived the sunfish’s health, showcasing the need for social engagement in some species.
