Strange Fish Visits San Diego Beach

A weird-looking fish called a Mola mola surprised surfers near San Diego. It floated close to the shore and later washed up dead. This fish is known for its odd shape. It has a big, flat body and a tiny mouth. People who saw it thought it was a shark at first because of its tall fin. The fish is the heaviest bony fish in the world. It can weigh up to 5, 000 pounds. That's as heavy as a small car! These fish usually live far out in the ocean. They like to eat jellyfish and sunbathe on the water's surface.One person watched the fish for a while. They saw it struggling near the shore. The fish was barely alive. It floated near surfers in the morning. But when it got closer to the waves, it was clear it was dying. The Monterey Bay Aquarium says the Mola mola looks like something from a science fiction movie. It's big and flat with a tiny tail. Its eyes are large, but its mouth is very small. Despite its strange look, it's a peaceful fish. This fish is not like sharks or rays. It belongs to a different group of fish. It's one of the largest bony fish in the ocean. Seeing one up close is rare. It's a shame it died, but it was amazing to see.