Swimmers Discover Rare Mola Tecta Sunfish on Doran Beach

A remarkable discovery occurred during the Labor Day weekend of 2025, when a giant Mola tecta sunfish was found on the sands of Doran Beach in Bodega Bay, California. Professor Stefan Kiesbye from Sonoma State University stumbled upon the fish while collecting debris washed ashore. Initially mistaking it for a stranded sea lion, Kiesbye later identified it as a Mola tecta, a species first described by researcher Marianne Nyegaard in 2017.

Upon realizing the significance of his find, Kiesbye conducted further research at home. He uncovered information about a previous sighting of a Mola tecta at the Coal Oil Point Reserve managed by the University of California, Santa Barbara. This discovery adds to the growing knowledge of the species’ presence along the Pacific Coast of North America.

Details of the Discovery

The situation unfolded as visitors flocked to Doran Beach, where the enormous sunfish, measuring approximately two meters in length, was discovered. The animal’s absence of a visible dorsal fin and its oval shape drew attention. Melanie Gutiérrez, a county ranger, initially responded to a shark alert at the beach, only to find the sunfish instead.

According to a spokesperson for Sonoma County Parks, Ariana Reguzzoni, the scene was particularly striking. Some beachgoers attempted to return the sunfish to the water while others observed. Despite these efforts, the cause of the fish’s death remains unconfirmed, although speculation suggests it may have been linked to an injury near its rear fin, as noted by users on the iNaturalist platform.

Scientific Insights and Significance

The Mola tecta is a unique species within the family of sunfish, characterized by its rounded body and thick, scaly skin. Unlike the more commonly known Mola mola, the Mola tecta lacks prominent head protrusions and features a narrower clavis. Research by Nyegaard indicated that Mola tecta can inhabit northern waters, challenging the belief that the species is restricted to southern regions.

Nyegaard noted, “We knew that the Mola tecta was present in the Humboldt Current off the coast of South America, as far north as Peru, but we did not believe that it would cross the warm equatorial belt, at least not very often.” The recent findings suggest that these sunfish are capable of crossing warmer waters by diving to deeper depths.

The presence of Mola tecta in Californian waters, previously documented from California to Alaska, raises intriguing questions about their migratory patterns and habitat preferences. The Bodega Marine Laboratory has now been enlisted to assist in analyzing the sunfish’s remains, offering further insight into this extraordinary marine discovery.

As the community reflects on the Labor Day 2025 encounter, this event serves as a reminder of the ocean’s mysteries and the wildlife that inhabit it. The collaboration between researchers, local authorities, and the community underscores the importance of marine conservation and the ongoing exploration of our natural world.