Marine
Mola mola (Linnaeus, 1758)
🗒 Synonyms
synonym | Aledon capensis Castelnau, 1861 |
synonym | Aledon storeri Castelnau, 1861 |
synonym | Cephalus brevis Shaw, 1804 |
synonym | Cephalus ortagoriscus Risso, 1827 |
synonym | Cephalus pallasianus Shaw, 1804 |
synonym | Diodon carinatus Mitchill, 1828 |
synonym | Diodon mola Pallas, 1770 |
synonym | Diodon nummularis Walbaum, 1792 |
synonym | Diplanchias nasus Rafinesque, 1810 |
synonym | Mola aculeata Koelreuter, 1766 |
synonym | Mola aspera Nardo, 1827 |
synonym | Mola hispida Nardo, 1827 |
synonym | Mola rotunda Cuvier, 1797 |
synonym | Molacanthus pallasii Swainson, 1839 |
synonym | Orthagoriscus analis Ayres, 1859 |
synonym | Orthragoriscus alexandrini Ranzani, 1839 |
synonym | Orthragoriscus analis Ayres, 1859 |
synonym | Orthragoriscus blochii Ranzani, 1839 |
synonym | Orthragoriscus elegans Ranzani, 1839 |
synonym | Orthragoriscus fasciatus Bloch & Schneider, 1801 |
synonym | Orthragoriscus ghini Ranzani, 1839 |
synonym | Orthragoriscus hispidus Bloch & Schneider, 1801 |
synonym | Orthragoriscus lunaris Gronow, 1854 |
synonym | Orthragoriscus mola (Linnaeus, 1758) |
synonym | Orthragoriscus redi Ranzani, 1839 |
synonym | Orthragoriscus retzii Ranzani, 1839 |
synonym | Orthragoriscus rondeletii Ranzani, 1839 |
synonym | Orthragus luna Rafinesque, 1810 |
synonym | Ozodura orsini Ranzani, 1839 |
synonym | Pedalion gigas Guilding, 1838 |
synonym | Tetraodon mola Linnaeus, 1758 |
synonym | Trematopsis willugbei Ranzani, 1839 |
synonym | Tympanomium planci Ranzani, 1839 |
🗒 Common Names
No Data |
📚 Overview
Brief
Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. 2013. FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication.; http://www.fishbase.org/Country/CountrySpeciesSummary.php?c_code=356&id=1732, version (12/2013).
Attributions | Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. 2013. FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication.; http://www.fishbase.org/Country/CountrySpeciesSummary.php?c_code=356&id=1732, version (12/2013). |
Contributors | |
Status | UNDER_CREATION |
Licenses | CC_BY_NC |
References |
Diagnostic Keys
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 15 - 18; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 14 - 17
Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. 2013. FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication.; http://www.fishbase.org/Country/CountrySpeciesSummary.php?c_code=356&id=1732, version (12/2013).
Attributions | Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. 2013. FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication.; http://www.fishbase.org/Country/CountrySpeciesSummary.php?c_code=356&id=1732, version (12/2013). |
Contributors | |
Status | UNDER_CREATION |
Licenses | CC_BY_NC |
References |
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Description
The scaleless body is covered with extremely thick, elastic skin. The caudal fin is replaced by a rudder-like structure called "quot;clavus"quot;. Dorsal and anal fins very high with short base; in swimming, these fins are flapped synchronously from side to side and can propel the fish at surprisingly good speed. Pectorals small and rounded, directed upward . Mouth very small; teeth fused to form a parrot-like beak. Gills 4, a slit behind the last; gill openings reduced to a small hole at the base of the pectoral fins. Gas bladder absent in adults.
Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. 2013. FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication.; http://www.fishbase.org/Country/CountrySpeciesSummary.php?c_code=356&id=1732, version (12/2013).
Attributions | Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. 2013. FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication.; http://www.fishbase.org/Country/CountrySpeciesSummary.php?c_code=356&id=1732, version (12/2013). |
Contributors | |
Status | UNDER_CREATION |
Licenses | CC_BY_NC |
References |
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No Data
📚 Nomenclature and Classification
📚 Natural History
Life Cycle
Produces very numerous and small eggs; 300 million eggs found in a 1.5 m long female .
Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. 2013. FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication.; http://www.fishbase.org/Country/CountrySpeciesSummary.php?c_code=356&id=1732, version (12/2013).
Attributions | Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. 2013. FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication.; http://www.fishbase.org/Country/CountrySpeciesSummary.php?c_code=356&id=1732, version (12/2013). |
Contributors | |
Status | UNDER_CREATION |
Licenses | CC_BY_NC |
References |
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Migration
Oceanodromous. Migrating within oceans typically between spawning and different feeding areas, as tunas do. Migrations should be cyclical and predictable and cover more than 100 km.
Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. 2013. FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication.; http://www.fishbase.org/Country/CountrySpeciesSummary.php?c_code=356&id=1732, version (12/2013).
Attributions | Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. 2013. FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication.; http://www.fishbase.org/Country/CountrySpeciesSummary.php?c_code=356&id=1732, version (12/2013). |
Contributors | |
Status | UNDER_CREATION |
Licenses | CC_BY_NC |
References |
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Size
Max Length
333 TL (unsexed)
Size
333 cm TL (male/unsexed; ); max. published weight: 2,300.0 kg
Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. 2013. FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication.; http://www.fishbase.org/Country/CountrySpeciesSummary.php?c_code=356&id=1732, version (12/2013).
Attributions | Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. 2013. FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication.; http://www.fishbase.org/Country/CountrySpeciesSummary.php?c_code=356&id=1732, version (12/2013). |
Contributors | |
Status | UNDER_CREATION |
Licenses | CC_BY_NC |
References |
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Trophic Strategy
The fish is found on slopes adjacent to deep water. The fish comes in for shelter and for seeking cleaner fishes. The fish is usually shy. However, it may become familiar with divers in some locations . The species often drifts at the surface while lying on its side. It swims upright and close to the surface. The dorsal fin often protruds above the water. The species has been filmed in 480 m depth with the help of a camera equipped with baits(Lis Maclaren, pers. Comm. 2005). The species eats fishes, mollusks, zooplankton, jellyfish, crustaceans and brittle stars . A live colony of the cirriped Lepas anatifera were found attached to the anterior portion of the sunfish"quot;s esophagus that was stranded in the south coast of Terceira Island, Azores Archipelago in 2004; an association with apparent advantages for the goose barnacles such as a regular intake of food and protection both from hydrodynamic hazards and from predators: but for the sunfish, it is not clear whether it is neutral, of advantage or causes feeding problems since the attachment may obstruct the sunfish"quot;s esophagus . Parasites of the species include 1 monogenean, 6 trematodes, 3 cestodes and 4 copepods . The fish is registered as the heaviest bony fish and as the one with the most eggs in the Guinness Book of World Records .
Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. 2013. FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication.; http://www.fishbase.org/Country/CountrySpeciesSummary.php?c_code=356&id=1732, version (12/2013).
Attributions | Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. 2013. FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication.; http://www.fishbase.org/Country/CountrySpeciesSummary.php?c_code=356&id=1732, version (12/2013). |
Contributors | |
Status | UNDER_CREATION |
Licenses | CC_BY_NC |
References |
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No Data
📚 Habitat and Distribution
General Habitat
Habitat
Marine
Habitat oceanodromous ; marine; depth range 30 - 480 m
Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. 2013. FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication.; http://www.fishbase.org/Country/CountrySpeciesSummary.php?c_code=356&id=1732, version (12/2013).
Attributions | Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. 2013. FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication.; http://www.fishbase.org/Country/CountrySpeciesSummary.php?c_code=356&id=1732, version (12/2013). |
Contributors | |
Status | UNDER_CREATION |
Licenses | CC_BY_NC |
References |
|
Description
Occurrence
native
Distribution
The species appears in warm and temperate zones of all oceans. Eastern Pacific: British Columbia, Canada to Peru and Chile . Eastern Atlantic: Scandinavia to South Africa (occasionally western Baltic, Mediterranean). Western Atlantic: Newfoundland, Canada to Argentina .
Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. 2013. FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication.; http://www.fishbase.org/Country/CountrySpeciesSummary.php?c_code=356&id=1732, version (12/2013).
Attributions | Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. 2013. FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication.; http://www.fishbase.org/Country/CountrySpeciesSummary.php?c_code=356&id=1732, version (12/2013). |
Contributors | |
Status | UNDER_CREATION |
Licenses | CC_BY_NC |
References |
|
No Data
📚 Occurrence
No Data
📚 Demography and Conservation
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List Category
Vulnerable
Not Evaluated IUCN 2006
Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. 2013. FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication.; http://www.fishbase.org/Country/CountrySpeciesSummary.php?c_code=356&id=1732, version (12/2013).
Attributions | Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. 2013. FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication.; http://www.fishbase.org/Country/CountrySpeciesSummary.php?c_code=356&id=1732, version (12/2013). |
Contributors | |
Status | UNDER_CREATION |
Licenses | CC_BY_NC |
References |
|
No Data
📚 Uses and Management
Uses
fisheries: minor commercial; price category: not marketed/unknown; price reliability:
Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. 2013. FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication.; http://www.fishbase.org/Country/CountrySpeciesSummary.php?c_code=356&id=1732, version (12/2013).
Attributions | Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. 2013. FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication.; http://www.fishbase.org/Country/CountrySpeciesSummary.php?c_code=356&id=1732, version (12/2013). |
Contributors | |
Status | UNDER_CREATION |
Licenses | CC_BY_NC |
References |
|
No Data
📚 Information Listing
References
Overview > Diagnostic > Diagnostic Keys
- Heemstra, P.C. 1986 Molidae. p. 907-908. In M.M. Smith and P.C. Heemstra (eds.) Smiths" sea fishes. Springer-Verlag, Berlin.
Overview > Diagnostic > Description
- Heemstra, P.C. 1986 Molidae. p. 907-908. In M.M. Smith and P.C. Heemstra (eds.) Smiths" sea fishes. Springer-Verlag, Berlin.
Natural History > Life Cycle
- Breder, C.M. and D.E. Rosen 1966 Modes of reproduction in fishes. T.F.H. Publications, Neptune City, New Jersey. 941 p.
Natural History > Migration
- Riede, K. 2004 Global register of migratory species - from global to regional scales. Final Report of the R&D-Projekt 808 05 081. Federal Agency for Nature Conservation, Bonn, Germany. 329 p.
Natural History > Size
- Claro, R. 1994 CaracterÃsticas generales de la ictiofauna. p. 55-70. In R. Claro (ed.) EcologÃa de los peces marinos de Cuba. Instituto de OceanologÃa Academia de Ciencias de Cuba and Centro de Investigaciones de Quintana Roo. Novak, J. 1982 Comparison of two different methods of growth values computation illustrated on rudd scales (Pisces: Cyprinidae). Vest. Cs. Spolec. Zool. 46:25-32.
Natural History > Trophic Strategy
- Clemens, W.A. and G.V. Wilby 1961 Fishes of the Pacific coast of Canada. 2nd ed. Fish. Res. Bd. Canada Bull. (68):443 p.
Habitat and Distribution > General Habitat
- Riede, K. 2004 Global register of migratory species - from global to regional scales. Final Report of the R&D-Projekt 808 05 081. Federal Agency for Nature Conservation, Bonn, Germany. 329 p.
Habitat and Distribution > Distribution > Description
- Tortonese, E. 1990 Molidae. p. 1077-1079. In J.C. Quero, J.C. Hureau, C. Karrer, A. Post and L. Saldanha (eds.) Check-list of the fishes of the eastern tropical Atlantic (CLOFETA). JNICT, Lisbon; SEI, Paris; and UNESCO, Paris. Vol. 2.
Demography and Conservation > Conservation Status
- 2006 IUCN red list of threatened species. www.iucnredlist.org. Downloaded July 2006.
Uses and Management > Uses
- Bauchot, M.-L. 1987 Poissons osseux. p. 891-1421. In W. Fischer, M.L. Bauchot and M. Schneider (eds.) Fiches FAO d"identification pour les besoins de la pêche. (rev. 1). Mediterranee et mer Noire. Zone de pêche 37. Vol. II. Commission des Communautes Europeennes and FAO, Rome.
No Data
🐾 Taxonomy
Root | Root |
Kingdom | Animalia |
Phylum | Chordata |
Class | Actinopterygii |
Order | Tetraodontiformes |
Family | Molidae |
Genus | Mola |
Species | Mola mola (Linnaeus 1758) |
📊 Temporal Distribution
📷 Related Observations
👥 Groups