COMMON MARINE FISHES 



141 



Figure 111 



OCEAN SUNFISH 

 Mola mola 



Relationship: The only member of the headfish family, Molidae, commonly 

 found on the Pacific Coast. 



Distinguishing Characters: The short, deep, flattened body; the high dorsal 

 and anal fins set back near the tail ; the lack of ventral fins. Reported to reach a length 

 of 10 feet and a weight of about a ton. Specimens seen in California waters are usually 

 less than three feet in length. Color: Dark gray above, becoming grayish brown with 

 silvery reflections on the sides and dusky below ; a grayish band along the bases of the 

 dorsal, anal and caudal fins. 



Distribution: Temperate and tropical seas throughout most of the world ; north 

 to Alaska on our coast. Sporadically abundant off California. 



Fishing Season: None. Not the object of a fishery. 



Importance: Of interest because of its bizarre shape and because of the tre- 

 mendous size it attains. Considered a delicacy by some. 



Fishing Gear: Sometimes caught accidentally in purse seines. 



