When the Kaikyokan Aquarium in Shimonoseki, Japan, closed its doors for renovations, its visitors weren’t the only ones missing the usual hustle and bustle. But it was a bit surprising when staff realized just who missed the visitors the most.
A resident sunfish, known for its curious and friendly nature, started showing signs of distress, prompting staff to take an unusual but heartwarming step to cheer up the marine creature. The trouble began shortly after the closure. The sunfish, a popular attraction weighing nearly 28 kilograms, stopped eating its jellyfish meals and began rubbing against the sides of its tank.
The Kaikyokan Aquarium in Shimonoseki is home to the ocean sunfish. Photo by aquarium staff
Staff initially suspected health issues such as parasites or digestive problems. However, as they investigated, one team member floated an unexpected theory: “Maybe he’s lonely without the visitors?” Although some were skeptical, the idea was worth exploring. In an innovative move, staff printed large cardboard cutouts of human faces, complete with uniforms taped below them, and placed them around the tank. The quirky display mimicked the presence of real visitors peering in at the fish.
To everyone’s surprise, the sunfish’s mood improved almost immediately. “The next day, [the sunfish] felt better!” the aquarium said in a translated post on X (formerly Twitter). The fish regained its appetite and began swimming near the glass, waving its fins as if greeting its new, albeit two-dimensional, friends.
Staff member Mai Kato explained that the sunfish had always been curious, often swimming up to visitors when they approached the tank. Its friendly nature likely made the sudden absence of human interaction, combined with the noise and vibrations of construction, particularly stressful.
It may have become lonely due to the sudden absence of visitors, which could have contributed to its health issues,” an aquarium expert said.
The aquarium shared the story on social media, where it quickly gained attention. A post on X garnered over 12.6 million views, while an Instagram photo of the sunfish and its cardboard audience drew hundreds of positive comments.
The Kaikyokan Aquarium in Shimonoseki is home to the ocean sunfish. Photo by aquarium staff
This isn’t the first time an aquarium in Japan has thought outside the box to support its marine residents. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Tokyo’s Sumida Aquarium asked volunteers to make FaceTime calls to their garden eels, which had grown anxious and reclusive during visitor restrictions.
At Kaikyokan Aquarium, staff hope the sunfish’s story inspires more people to appreciate the species, known for their unique appearance and inquisitive behavior. In the wild, sunfish often approach divers out of curiosity but face challenges such as vulnerability to bycatch in fishing nets.
Kato expressed her hope that the sunfish’s special connection with visitors would continue after the aquarium reopens. “I hope many people take interest in the sunfish, and when the renovation work is finished, I’d like visitors to wave to it in front of the tank,” she said. For now, the sunfish seems content with its cardboard companions, proving that even in the underwater world, a little creativity and care can make a big difference.
Sources: People | The Guardian
