The aquarium **Kaikyokan Aquarium**, located in Shimonoseki, **Japan**, went viral for an original idea to **cheer up a sick sunfish**. After the temporary closure of the place for renovations, the animal began to show signs of distress and stopped eating.
Faced with this, after ruling out biological problems or diseases, the employees decided to **”create” visitors**, since people couldn’t enter, using paper and clothes to place them in front of the tank. The results were surprising.
This aquarium’s technique to “cheer up” a sick sunfish
As reported by the aquarium in a post on the X social network, the problem arose shortly after the enclosure **closed in December 2024** for renovations.
The fish, **known for its curiosity**, stopped eating and began rubbing its body against the tank, leading the staff to suspect possible digestive problems or parasitic infections.
The aquarium staff tried several measures to **identify and treat the cause of the problem**, but was unsuccessful. It was then when one of the employees suggested an unconventional theory: **the fish might be experiencing loneliness** due to the absence of visitors.
Although it seemed unlikely, the team decided to try a creative solution. According to the aquarium, they **put up employee uniforms** on hangers, accompanied by cardboard faces, and fixed them to the tank’s glass.
The result was unexpected. The next day, the sunfish showed a remarkable improvement in its health.
“Back to normal”
“The fish was quite curious and often approached the front of the tank when there were visitors, so its sudden disappearance may have been due to not being in good condition,” they described.
“Recently, thanks to observing and greeting them in front of the tank, its state **returned to normal**!”, the aquarium mentioned through social media.
The animal began to **swim with more vitality** and directed its attention to the makeshift figures, as if they were real visitors. In addition, the employees complemented this strategy by greeting the fish from outside the tank, which **seemed to contribute to its recovery**.
“We don’t know if it really felt lonely, but we are looking forward to seeing the sunfish when the museum opens its doors in six months,” concluded the enclosure’s post.
The repercussions led hundreds of people to be moved and even want to meet the fish. “**What a cute sunfish, I want to meet him**”, “I am very happy that he is already improving,” were some of the comments left by people on social media.
What is a sunfish like
The sunfish (**Mola mola**) is a **tetraodontiform pelagic fish** of the **Molidae** family. It is one of the heaviest bony fish in the world, with an average weight of 1000 kilos and specimens that reach over three meters in length and exceed two tons.
It has a laterally flattened body and when it extends its dorsal and ventral fins, it is as long as it is high.
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