One of the sea's most peculiar fish is back at the Oceanarium

After a year without the distinctive fish, the North Sea Oceanarium once again has two sunfish.

Two small sunfish, caught as bycatch by Portuguese fishermen, can be seen in the large oceanarium among rays, sharks, and schooling fish. (Photo: © North Sea Oceanarium) 14 minutes ago

Many associate the North Sea Oceanarium with the distinctive sunfish, which can grow over three meters long and resembles a swimming head. And after more than a year without them, you can now see sunfish in the aquarium again, which delights chief biologist Kristina Skands Ydesen.

"It's an interesting and fun fish to have. It is very different from the other fish swimming around here, so it is also an exciting feature for our guests," she says.

Portuguese fishermen caught two smaller sunfish, which were transported to Hirtshals, and can now be seen in the large aquarium among thousands of sharks, rays, and schooling fish.

Sunfish have been somewhat of a landmark for the North Sea Oceanarium since it got its first one in 2001. Having them again therefore holds special significance.

"It's a fish that has played a role for us and been part of our history. I think it's because it's a somewhat odd fish that captures people's attention more than other fish do," says chief biologist Kristina Skands Ydesen.

Sunfish have been an important part of our history for many years, says chief biologist Kristina Skands Ydesen, who is happy to have the distinctive fish back in the oceanarium. (Photo: © North Sea Oceanarium)

The two sunfish the Oceanarium has received weigh only about five kilos, but when fully grown, they can weigh as much as 2.3 tons and grow over 3.5 meters long.

It is also a fish that the museum, since 2001 when it got its first sunfish, has focused heavily on in its educational outreach, and which has been important to the museum.

"It may well be because of the sunfish that some people choose to visit us. But I think, on the other hand, there are just as many other things they remember when they have been here," says the chief biologist.

The North Sea Oceanarium has been without sunfish since the beginning of May last year, when two specimens had to be euthanized due to wounds that could not be treated.

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