December 30, 2005
Sharp-tailed Sunfish in Gorontalo
Several days ago another sunfish showed up in the river mouth where Miguel's Diving ties the dive boat. About this time last year a similar one appeared. Both fish were caught by hook at night during the dark moon. We sent a cutting of the first one to an international Mola mola researcher. DNA testing identified it as Masturus lanceolatus, the Sharp-tailed Sunfish, which is less common that the usual Oceanic Sunfish or Mola mola. As its name implies, the one found in Gorontalo has a small sharp tail, whereas the regular Mola mola has none at all.
Posted by Miguel at December 30, 2005 10:16 AM