Another ‘tropical fish’ washes up in Cleethorpes
OCEAN SUNFISH DISCOVERED ON NORTH PROM BEACH
ANOTHER fish typically found in tropical waters has washed up in Cleethorpes.
The fish, thought to be an adult Ocean Sunfish due to its colourings, is said to be about 60cm wide.
Tyas Stark made the discovery when walking along the North Promenade beach in Cleethorpes.
He said: “We always find fish along there – well the Labrador does. “But I was surprised at the size of this one.
“With this and the octopus in the waters recently – very odd.” Ocean Sunfish, otherwise known as Common Mola or Mola Mola, are native to tropical and temperate waters around the world and typically struggle to survive for prolonged periods in temperatures colder than around 10C. They are one of the heaviest known boney fishes in the world, with adults typically weighing between 240 and 1,000kgs.
This fish is thought to be adult as it is paler in colour with grey spots. Adults are usually grey above with silvery grey to brown on the side. They are typically paler in colour on their belly, with spots and mottling.
It comes after another young Ocean Sunfish was discovered along the North Promenade by Jim Atkins earlier this month.
When speaking ki about b t it it, h he said: id “Ocean Sunfish – a tad unusual considering.
“Approximately 45 to 60cm in the photos but they can grow up to 3 to 4 metres in the wild.”
Jim suggested “It may have got caught in the tidal cross current via the gulf stream” after people began to question why the Sunfish ended up in Cleethorpes.
One member of We Love Cleethorpes on Facebook said: “Very strange how it has got here as they are a tropical fish and need warm waters and hot sun to survive.
“Clearly none of that here. “Unless it has been thrown over by a boat and dumped.” Another said: “There is one in my garden – well skeleton. I picked it up off the beach about 10 years ago.”
It is not the first time the species has been seen in British waters, with British Sea Fishing saying it “appears to be getting more common around the south of England in the summer months due to warming sea temperatures” though they are observed “on an intermittent basis” all around the country and have been caught in our seas for decades, albeit rarely. Earlier this month, an Octopus made Cleethorpes its temporary home. The curled octopus, pictured - nicknamed Curly the Kraken – took up residence along the North Promenade– but people have been urged to leave it alone.