SwedenLivingWorld world_2_fill WorldBusiness BusinessSports sports-soccer SportsEntertainmentEntertain

Sad Lumpfish Saved by Paper Dolls

A lone pufferfish became clearly depressed when the aquarium in Japanese Shimonoseki closed for a half-year renovation. Then the staff came up with an unexpected solution.

» Published: January 22 2025

Sad Lumpfish Saved by Paper Dolls
Photo: Shimonoseki Marine Science Museum/Kaikyokan via AP/TT

Shortly after the visitors stopped coming, the giant fish lost its appetite, started swimming into the aquarium walls, and seemed generally unwell. The staff were groping in the dark, but suspected that the fish simply felt lonely.

In a last-ditch effort to save the fish, they therefore hung up their work clothes on life-size paper dolls – topped with photos of smiling faces – and placed them next to the aquarium. The next morning, the ocean sunfish ate food for the first time in about a week.

According to aquarist Moe Miyazawa, the fish has been steadily improving since then.

I noticed that it looked at us when we set up the dolls, but I never thought it would start eating again the next day, she says.

The ocean sunfish, also known as the sunfish or mola mola, can weigh up to two tons and is thus the largest living bony fish. The specimen in Shimonoseki arrived at the aquarium in February last year from Japan's Pacific coast and quickly became a favorite among visitors.

There are four different species of ocean sunfish, of which the largest is simply called the ocean sunfish (Mola mola).

The smallest grows to 80 centimeters in length, while the others can reach up to four meters in length and weigh up to two tons.

Ocean sunfish have a peculiar appearance – they are heavily compressed from the sides and their body is round or elongated oval. The mouth is protruding.

Ocean sunfish are slow swimmers that live in free surface waters in warm and temperate seas.

Source: National Encyclopedia

Tags

TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

Trump: Speaking with Putin on Tuesday

Trump: Speaking with Putin on Tuesday

Houthi Movement: Attacks on US Military

Houthi Movement: Attacks on US Military

Shipwrecked Fisherman Rescued After 94 Days

Shipwrecked Fisherman Rescued After 94 Days

USA deported hundreds – despite judge's no

USA deported hundreds – despite judge's no

The Pope in a photo from the hospital – thanks the children

The Pope in a photo from the hospital – thanks the children

Netanyahu wants to dismiss security chief

Netanyahu wants to dismiss security chief

Assignments of 10,000 soldiers peacekeeping force

Assignments of 10,000 soldiers peacekeeping force

USA Envoy: Trump-Putin Talks This Week

USA Envoy: Trump-Putin Talks This Week

Expert on Yemen Attack: "Trump is no Warmonger"

Expert on Yemen Attack: "Trump is no Warmonger"

Ukraine confirms: We have left Sudzha

Ukraine confirms: We have left Sudzha

Less forest makes Amazon both wetter and drier

Less forest makes Amazon both wetter and drier

Over 50 dead after US airstrikes

Over 50 dead after US airstrikes

Hug of relief as replacement capsule reaches ISS

Hug of relief as replacement capsule reaches ISS

Flashed His Backside on the Wall – Kicked Out of China

Flashed His Backside on the Wall – Kicked Out of China

Rubio in talks with Lavrov about "the next step"

Rubio in talks with Lavrov about "the next step"

Kellogg Sidelined After Russian Complaint

Kellogg Sidelined After Russian Complaint

Trump invokes war law to deport cartel members

Trump invokes war law to deport cartel members

Trump Silences Voice of America

Trump Silences Voice of America

Demands for ceasefire ahead of talks in Congo-Kinshasa

Demands for ceasefire ahead of talks in Congo-Kinshasa

The Pope Recovers - Plans for 2028

The Pope Recovers - Plans for 2028

At least 13 dead in US airstrikes in Yemen

At least 13 dead in US airstrikes in Yemen

Large demonstrations against Trump on Greenland

Large demonstrations against Trump on Greenland

Dozens of Civilians Reported Killed in Myanmar

Dozens of Civilians Reported Killed in Myanmar

Unexpectedly High Rise in Sea Level

Unexpectedly High Rise in Sea Level

EU's Rift with the US – an Opportunity for China

EU's Rift with the US – an Opportunity for China

Over 30 dead in severe weather in the USA

Over 30 dead in severe weather in the USA

Authorities in Gaza: Israel killed nine people

Authorities in Gaza: Israel killed nine people

Ten dead in explosion in Syria

Ten dead in explosion in Syria

Telegram CEO allowed to temporarily leave France

Telegram CEO allowed to temporarily leave France

Zelensky: Forces in Kursk not surrounded

Zelensky: Forces in Kursk not surrounded

300,000 in Protest Against the Government in Serbia

300,000 in Protest Against the Government in Serbia

Unity at the Ukraine Meeting: We're Not Waiting for Putin

Unity at the Ukraine Meeting: We're Not Waiting for Putin

Ukraine: Large drone and robot attack tonight

Ukraine: Large drone and robot attack tonight

Testimonies from Gaza: Children walk around without shoes

Testimonies from Gaza: Children walk around without shoes

Musk: Then the First Ship Lifts Off to Mars

Musk: Then the First Ship Lifts Off to Mars

Trump on the 24-hour promise: "I was a bit sarcastic"

Trump on the 24-hour promise: "I was a bit sarcastic"

Tech giants want to train AI on protected material

Tech giants want to train AI on protected material

Dissatisfaction culminates: Giant protest in Belgrade

Dissatisfaction culminates: Giant protest in Belgrade

Urination in the Hot Pot Gave Free Food to Thousands

Urination in the Hot Pot Gave Free Food to Thousands

New Power Outage Paralyzes Cuba

New Power Outage Paralyzes Cuba