Sunfish at Japanese Aquarium Revives After Human Cutouts Mimic Audience

The solitary sunfish, distressed by the lack of visitors during renovations, began eating again after staff placed human-shaped cutouts near its tank.

• A sunfish at the Kaikyokan aquarium in Shimonoseki, Japan, became unwell after the facility closed for renovations on December 1, 2024.
• The fish, a popular attraction, stopped eating and exhibited signs of distress, including swimming into the tank walls.
• Staff initially suspected digestive issues but later theorized that the absence of visitors was affecting the fish's behavior.
• As a creative solution, keepers placed human cutouts and uniforms near the tank, which led to the sunfish resuming eating the next day.
• The aquarium plans to reopen in summer 2025, and staff hope visitors will return to see the now-recovering sunfish.

3 Articles

The Globe and Mail The Independent Associated Press