The sunfish, also known as the flipper, manbo, or head fish, is a type of bony fish. There are only three species of sunfish in the world, and though the suborder is small, their distribution is vast. These fish are found in almost every tropical, subtropical, and even temperate and cold region across the globe. Despite their wide range, sunfish are not particularly well-known in the ocean.
What makes this fish stand out, however, is its impressive appearance. While its body length typically ranges from three to five meters, its weight can reach up to three and a half tons.
Sunfish have been known to humans for quite some time, largely due to their unusual swimming style. Unlike typical fish, they cannot swim like others. Instead, they move slowly through the water, using their wing-like fins, while their tail fin is so small that it is nearly invisible. As a result, the fish appears as if it has been sliced in half. Early on, some Chinese internet users even dubbed this fish the "strong fish."
Despite its peculiar appearance, the sunfish is actually found in various parts of the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. Known as the "ocean sunfish" in Boston and the UK, the Spanish call it "moonfish," the Germans refer to it as the "swimming head," and in some island cultures, it is called "mambo." The name "sunfish" comes from the fish's habit of floating on its side and sunbathing on the surface of the sea.
This fish moves slowly, much like a sloth of the ocean. It floats along with the waves, using minimal energy. Its leisurely pace might make it seem like an easy target, but in fact, this fish is far from vulnerable.
Sunfish may appear slow and cumbersome, but they are not considered endangered, and there are two main reasons for this. The first is their remarkable fertility: a single female can lay up to 300 million eggs at once. Even with a survival rate of one in ten million, this still results in around thirty surviving fish. The sheer number of eggs produced ensures that sunfish populations remain stable.
The second reason for their population stability is that their meat is highly unpalatable. In fact, it's so unappetizing that humans rarely eat it. Even the Japanese, known for their adventurous tastes, avoid it. Sunfish may be large, but they are not worth the trouble for commercial fishing.
Another defense mechanism of the sunfish is its tough, nearly impenetrable skin. This skin is impervious to attacks from sharks, sea lions, and even killer whales. Marine predators generally leave the sunfish alone, as they can't bite through its tough exterior. Occasionally, sea lions may bite off a fin for play, tossing it around like a frisbee, but this doesn't pose a real threat to the sunfish.
The lightest adult sunfish weighs around one and a half tons, while the heaviest can exceed five tons. Even a determined sea lion couldn't move one of these massive creatures.
Jiang Hai, though, wasn't about to let the sunfish's unappetizing nature or its formidable defenses stop him from catching one. When he reeled in a particularly large one, he felt a great sense of pride.
"Look, I caught a fish, a big one! You guys lost this time!" he said, showing off his catch with a smug grin.
The four old men looked at each other, then at Jiang Hai. "Are we competing in size, length, or weight?" one asked with a raised eyebrow.
Jiang Hai, holding the massive fish, replied, "Well, if we're competing, let's see who catches the most fish."
The old men chuckled. "Are you kidding? There's no point in comparing weight with you. You've caught a five-ton fish, and we can't even lift something like that!"
Jiang Hai, though initially taken aback by their response, couldn't help but laugh.
"Okay, you win," he said, shaking his head. "But I still need a picture of this."
Mayor Wallis smiled and snapped a photo of Jiang Hai with his catch before the sunfish was returned to the water. These creatures, like sea turtles, mainly feed on jellyfish, which are not popular among fishermen. Jellyfish can devastate the local marine life, and many species are poisonous, making sunfish an important ally for fishermen.
After releasing the sunfish, Jiang Hai felt his mood lift. It seemed the spiritual energy he had used earlier was still at work. With the first catch confirmed, there was little competition left, so Jiang Hai settled in to continue fishing.
Unlike the others, who had to struggle with their catches, Jiang Hai simply lifted his line. He could reel in the fish with ease, regardless of size. The first fish he caught was a pike, known as the sea wolf, measuring about seventy centimeters. Although smaller than the ones from the Caribbean, it was a good-sized catch for the day.
After catching a few more fish, the group decided to call it quits around one o'clock in the morning. They were tired after three hours of fishing, so Jiang Hai steered the boat back to the dock. As they docked, the old men set up an electric oven and began grilling the fish they had caught. The fish they prepared were delicious, and the group enjoyed eating, drinking, and basking in the sea breeze.
Mayor Wallis, though needing to drive soon, was clearly enjoying himself, and the group relished their time together.
As the sun began to rise, Jiang Hai's boat returned to the dock. After securing the boat, the five of them rode back to Jiang Hai's villa on four-wheeled motorcycles.
The old men were clearly satisfied with their sea trip, though exhausted. Even as they made their way home, they kept complimenting Jiang Hai for such a fun time. Mayor Wallis, in particular, was proud to have made his old friends so happy.
Once they left, Jiang Hai yawned, then slowly entered his villa. He found Xiao Huang and Xiao Bai still asleep on the first floor, and, not wanting to disturb them, he quietly made his way upstairs to his room.
But as he opened the door, he was surprised to see someone lying on his bed. The morning sun illuminated the face of none other than Becky Hall, who had apparently come to find him.
"You're back," she said, rubbing her eyes. "Do you want to take a bath?" She smiled up at him, and Jiang Hai couldn't help but chuckle.
"Together?" he asked playfully.
"Okay!" she replied with a grin.