Last Updated on April 11, 2023 by Amin Tawar
Ocean Sunfish Length
Ocean sunfish, also known as M mola, are the heaviest bony fish in the world, and they are known for their unusual shape and size.
They have a flat, disc-like body and a very small, slender tail, which gives them a distinctive appearance. Other than their appearance, their distinctive size is also a way to easily spot ocean sunfish among others.
On average, ocean sunfish are around 1.8 m (5 ft 11 in), but there have been individual ocean sunfish that have exceeded these sizes, with the largest known specimen measuring over 14 feet (4.3 meters) long.
Moreover, the mature ocean sunfish has an average length of 1.8 m (5 ft 11 in) and a fin-to-fin length of 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in).
| Ocean Sunfish | Length |
| Average | 1.8 m (5 ft 11 in) |
| Maximum | 14 feet (4.3 meters) |
Ocean Sunfish Weight
One of the other factors that account for the overall size of the Ocean Sunfish is their weight.
Ocean sunfish are the heaviest bony fish in the world, and they can reach impressive sizes.
Despite their large size, ocean sunfish are not voracious predators like many other species of shark or fish. Instead, they are primarily a plankton-eating species and have a relatively small appetite for their size.
If we look at their weight, on average Ocean sunfish weigh around 247 and 1,000 kg (545 and 2,205 lb).
However, there have been individual ocean sunfish that have exceeded these sizes, with the largest known specimen weighing over 6,049.48 pounds (2,744 kilograms).
| Ocean Sunfish | Weight |
| Average | 247 and 1,000 kg (545 and 2,205 lb) |
| Maximum | 6,049 pounds (2,744 kilograms) |
Ocean Sunfish Baby Size
Baby Ocean sunfish are born at a very small size compared to their adult counterparts. It is believed that ocean sunfish eggs are among the largest of any known species, with some eggs measuring over 4 inches (10 cm) in diameter.
However, the hatchlings that emerge from these eggs are very small and are only a few inches long at most.
Sunfish larvae that have just hatched are less than one gram in weight and only 2.5 mm (3⁄32 in) long.
They grow into fry, and the ones that live can increase in size up to 60 million times before they reach adult size, which is arguably the most extreme size growth of any vertebrate animal.
Despite this, It is difficult to determine the exact size of baby ocean sunfish, as there is very little information available on their early development.
However, it is known that sunfish grow very rapidly during their first few years of life, and they can reach sizes of several feet in length within just a few years. 1
Ocean Sunfish Egg Size
Did you know that the ocean sunfish is the heaviest known bony fish in the world, and it is known for laying the largest eggs of any known vertebrate?
The eggs are elongated and have a tough, leathery outer shell. Interestingly, it takes several years for the larvae to grow into full-sized adult sunfish.
The eggs of the ocean sunfish are typically about 5-6 inches (13-15 cm) in diameter and can weigh up to 1.5 pounds (0.7 kg).
Moreover, the eggs are laid in large, gelatinous masses that are attached to objects in the water, such as seaweed or rocks. These eggs hatch into small, transparent larvae that resemble miniature adults.
Ocean Sunfish Size Comparison To Human
Moving on, have you ever wondered how large or small the Ocean sunfish would be in comparison to one of us?
Although it is difficult to compare the size of an ocean sunfish to that of a human as they have very different body shapes, it is clear that ocean sunfish are much larger than most humans.
Ocean sunfish can reach lengths of up to 1.8 m (5 ft 11 in) and weights of over 247 and 1,000 kg (545 and 2,205 lb).
In comparison, the average height of an adult human male is about 5.5-5.9 feet and the average weight is about 132 to 176 pounds (60 to 80 kgs).
This means that an adult and largest ocean sunfish is about 2.5 times the length of an average adult male human and weighs more than 25 times as much.
| Animal type | Length | Weight |
| Ocean sunfish | 1.8 m (5 ft 11 in) | 247 and 1,000 kg (545 and 2,205 lb) |
| Average adult human | 5.5 to 5.9 feet | 132 to 176 pounds (60 to 80 kgs) |
Ocean Sunfish Size Vs Seahorse Size Comparison
Moving on let’s see how we can differentiate between the Ocean sunfish and the seahorse on the basis of their size.
Seahorses are small, fish-like creatures that are known for their horse-like head and curled tail. When the eggs of the seahorses hatch, the male gives birth to fully-developed, miniature seahorses.
When the miniature seahorse becomes an adult, they reach a size of 2 to 35 cm (about 0.8 to 14 inches) in length and 7 ounces to 1 pound in weight.
In contrast, the ocean sunfish is much larger with a length of 1.8 m (5 ft 11 in) and a weight of 247 and 1,000 kg (545 and 2,205 lb).
| Animal type | Length | Weight |
| Ocean sunfish | 1.8 m (5 ft 11 in) | 247 and 1,000 kg (545 and 2,205 lb) |
| Seahorse | 2 to 35 cm (about 0.8 to 14 inches) | 7 ounces to 1 pound |
Ocean Sunfish Size Vs Whale Shark Size Comparison
Fishes are generally considered to be quite smaller than one of the largest species of the ocean, the sharks.
In fact, the whale shark is the largest fish in the world, so there is no chance of the Ocean sunfish being anywhere close to its size.
While the Ocean sunfish can reach lengths of up to 1.8 m (5 ft 11 in) and weights of over 247 and 1,000 kg (545 and 2,205 lb).
In contrast, whale sharks are the largest fish in the world and can reach lengths of up to 12 meters (40 feet) and weights of up to 21 metric tons (23 short tons).
This means that while ocean sunfish are large compared to most other fish, they are still much smaller than whale sharks. Despite their size difference, both ocean sunfish and whale sharks are fascinating and unique creatures
| Animal type | Length | Weight |
| Ocean sunfish | 1.8 m (5 ft 11 in) | 247 and 1,000 kg (545 and 2,205 lb) |
| Whale shark | 12 meters (40 feet) | 21 metric tons (23 short tons) |
Also Check Out Angler Fish Size & Comparison
Ocean Sunfish Size Vs Freshwater Sunfish Size Comparison
The specific size of a freshwater sunfish will depend on the specific species. There are many different species of freshwater sunfish, including bluegill, pumpkinseed, redear sunfish, and green sunfish.
Most species of freshwater sunfish are small enough to be kept in an aquarium, while ocean sunfish are much too large to be kept in captivity.
If we compare the size of the two types of sunfish, the Ocean sunfish are considered to be the heaviest known bony fish in the world.
Freshwater sunfish, on the other hand, are much smaller than ocean sunfish and can reach lengths of up to about 24 cm (9.5 in) and weigh about 790g (1.7 lb), which is much much smaller than the giant Ocean fish.
| Animal type | Length | Weight |
| Ocean sunfish | 1.8 m (5 ft 11 in) | 247 and 1,000 kg (545 and 2,205 lb) |
| Freshwater sunfish | 24 cm (9.5 in) | 790g (1.7 lb) |
Conclusion
And that was everything you need to know about the size of Ocean Sunfish. I hope this article was informative enough and your queries were answered.
Thank You For Reading!
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