Ocean sunfish, or Mola mola, can live up to 100 years in the wild — but one recently got into serious trouble near the Florida coast.
Deputies from the Volusia Sheriff’s Office responded to a call about a massive sunfish stuck between a seawall and the surf. The fish, too heavy to move easily, seemed doomed.
Thankfully, Deputy Rick Urquhart arrived and worked hard to free the stranded fish. At nearly 5,000 pounds, sunfish are the heaviest of all bony fish, making the rescue no small feat.
After some effort, the sunfish was able to swim back out to sea — saved just in time, thanks to Urquhart’s determination.
“It’s like watching a Roomba,” he joked, watching the fish head home.