Mola mola (Oceanic Sunfish)

A nose-to-nose encounter with one of these bizarre creatures is an unforgettable experience. Reaching lengths of 4m and weighing more than 1,400Kg it is the heaviest bony fish in the world. Unusual not only for its massive size, but also for its bizarre shape; a flat disc-like body with a long fin at the top and an equally long fin at the bottom.

Harmless to humans, it feeds mainly on jellyfish and other hydrozoans. Usually found deep (recorded at depths of 360m) for some reason it heads to the surface around Bali, most commonly found around 30m.

Recorded as the heaviest bony fish and as the one with the most eggs (350 million) in the Guinness Book of World Records.

The best season for this is July to late-September, but can sometimes be seen at other times too. The best sites are Nusa Penida and the East Coast Islands.

Despite its massive size it has actually been seen leaping out of the water.

Finally, members of the excellent 'British Marine Life Study Society' make the following claims;

"If you approach a sunfish lying on or near the surface slowly in a small boat it is possible to pick it up and take it into the boat."

And

"Lying on their sides is pretty normal for sunfish … kids climb on and run across the huge specimens."

Bali Scuba recommends you don't try either of these for yourself ...