Story: Oceanic fish

Sunfish (1st of 2)

Sunfish

Sunfish are the world’s largest bony fish, and their ancestors have been around for 12 million years. They are mainly found in oceanic waters, but occasionally wash ashore. They occur in northern New Zealand waters, but specimens have been cast up as far south as Otago Harbour. They often drift near the surface, lying on their sides, or swim upright with the dorsal fin projecting above the water – when they may be mistaken for sharks.

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Eye on the Sea

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How to cite this page:

Carl Walrond, 'Oceanic fish - Moonfish, flying fish, sunfish and mid-water species', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/8767/sunfish (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by Carl Walrond, published 12 Jun 2006