A lone sunfish at an aquarium in southwestern Japan lost its appetite and began bumping into the sides of its tank, appearing to be unwell days after the facility closed for renovations last month. As a last resort to save the popular fish, zookeepers hung their uniforms out to dry and placed human cutouts outside their tanks.
According to Moe Miyazawa, an aquarist at the Kaikyokan Aquarium in Shimonoseki City, the sunfish ate for the first time in about a week the next morning and is recovering well.
The large sunfish flew into the aquarium from the southern coast of Kochi Prefecture in the Pacific Ocean in February 2024. The sunfish is a member of the puffer fish family known for its unique shape and large eyes, and has become one of the facility’s popular attractions.
When the sunfish started to feel unwell days after the aquarium closed for six months of renovations on Dec. 1, keepers suspected it had a digestive disorder, cut back on the amount of food it received, and took precautions against construction noise. I went to the tank to comfort the sunfish, but there was no reaction. I will use it.
Later, at a staff meeting, someone suggested that the sunfish might have been affected by the sudden absence of spectators.
Miyazawa said, “Although I was skeptical, I decided to do whatever I could.” Miyazawa said they hung uniforms to cheer on the fish and placed humanoid cutouts with smiling pictures outside the aquarium.
Mr. Miyazawa said with a twinkle in his eye, “I knew he was looking at me when I was putting the sunfish down, but I didn’t expect him to start eating them the next day.” Staff members now visit frequently and wave at the sunfish.
Aquarium keepers said they hope many fans will return to see the sunfish once the aquarium reopens in the summer.
