A dead ocean sunfish weighing approximately 400 kilograms was discovered on the coast of Massachusetts. The massive fish washed ashore in the town of Wellfleet, the New York Post reports. It was found on September 16 during a walk along the beach.
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By the time it was found, the deep-sea creature showed no signs of life. Specialists from the New England Coastal Wildlife Alliance were called to the scene. Staff members collected tissue samples from the sunfish for research purposes.
A representative of the organization expressed regret that the animal could not be saved. Ocean sunfish typically inhabit great depths and only rarely appear near the water’s surface. In such instances, they can end up in shallow waters and become stranded by the receding tide. It is believed that this is likely what happened to the specimen found in Wellfleet.
The ocean sunfish is considered the heaviest of all extant bony fish. Some individuals of this species can weigh over two tons, with dimensions reaching three to four meters in both length and width.
The species is classified as vulnerable. The specimen found in Massachusetts weighed about 400 kilograms, and specialists collected tissue samples for further study following an examination.
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