Japanese Aquarium Uses Creative Solution to Help Lonely Sunfish Recover

Staff at Shimonoseki’s Kaikyokan Aquarium discovered that a sunfish’s declining health was linked to loneliness during renovations and revived it with human-like visual aids.

• A sunfish at the Kaikyokan Aquarium in Shimonoseki, Japan, stopped eating and exhibited unusual behavior after the facility closed for renovations in December 2024.
• Aquarium staff initially suspected health issues like parasites or digestive problems but struggled to find a solution.
• A staff member theorized that the fish was lonely due to the absence of visitors, prompting the team to create human-like visual aids using photos of faces and uniforms placed near the tank.
• The sunfish responded positively to the makeshift 'visitors,' regaining its appetite and showing signs of improved well-being within a day.
• The story has gained significant attention online, with over 12 million views on the aquarium’s social media post about the fish’s recovery.

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