The Kaikyokan Aquarium in Shimonoseki, Japan, faced an unexpected challenge when its resident sunfish exhibited signs of distress following the facility’s temporary closure for renovations in December 2024. Accustomed to the presence of visitors, the solitary sunfish became lethargic and refused to eat, prompting staff to devise a creative solution to alleviate its apparent loneliness.
Sunfish’s Behavioral Changes
Typically solitary in the wild, sunfish are known for their curiosity and often engage with their surroundings. The Kaikyokan Aquarium’s sunfish had grown accustomed to observing visitors through the glass of its tank. Following the aquarium’s closure, staff noticed the sunfish dragging itself along the tank walls and abstaining from its regular jellyfish diet. Initial concerns included potential digestive issues or parasitic infections; however, no physical ailments were identified.
Innovative Solution: Cardboard Companions
In an effort to replicate the presence of visitors, aquarium staff placed cardboard cutouts dressed in staff uniforms around the sunfish’s tank. Remarkably, the sunfish responded positively, resuming its normal eating habits and displaying renewed vigor. Staff observed the sunfish tracking the cutouts with its eye as it swam by, indicating a regained interest in its environment.
Community Response
The aquarium shared this heartwarming development on social media, garnering widespread attention and delight from the public. Many users expressed their intention to visit the sunfish once the aquarium reopens, highlighting the unique bond between the creature and its human observers.
This inventive approach by the Kaikyokan Aquarium underscores the profound impact of environmental changes on marine life and the importance of human interaction for certain species in captivity. The successful use of cardboard cutouts to alleviate the sunfish’s distress serves as a testament to the dedication and ingenuity of the aquarium staff in ensuring the well-being of their aquatic residents.
