back to field guide main page
Field guide to marine inhabitants - Fishes
Photo Courtesy of Chad Macfie
Sharptail
Sunfish
Prepared by
Jessica Tokarz |
Mola
lanceolata |
Range: Mola lanceolata is found nearly worldwide
in warm waters. In the western Atlantic, they span from
North Carolina to southern Florida.
Similar Species: The
Ocean Sunfish (Mola mola) is similar in appearance to the
Sharptail Sunfish. However, unlike the Mola mola the
Sharptail Sunfish’s caudal fin exhibits a central
projection. |
Mola mola |
Identification: As with all sunfish, Mola
lanceolata exhibits a truncated body shape with elongated
dorsal and anal fish which it undulates to move through the
water. This species of sunfish is generally dark grey
throughout with a pale ventral surface. Some may exhibit
spotted patterns. The caudal fin has a central projection
that can be relatively small in size or may exceed the
length of the head.
Note: Mola lanceolata
does not appear to exhibit any behavior that would help to
differentiate it from its more common relative, the Ocean
Sunfish (Mola mola). However, it has been suggested that
Mola lanceolata does not bask as Mola mola does.
back to field guide main page |
|
