A sunfish in Japan felt lonely during the temporary closure of its aquarium. Turns out, the aquarium, located in Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi Prefecture, found a creative way to cheer it up.
Sunfish Misses Visitors
The Kaikyokan aquarium closed for renovations in December. After that, the sunfish stopped eating its favourite jellyfish and started rubbing against the tank. Staff initially thought it might have a health issue, like parasites or digestive problems. However, one team member suggested the sunfish might just be lonely without visitors.
A Unique Solution
To help the sunfish, staff placed photos of human faces on uniforms and lined them up near its tank. This was their “last resort” to solve the sunfish’s problem. Amazingly, the idea worked! “It seems to be in good health again!” the aquarium wrote on X the next day.
After the photos and uniforms went up, the fish “felt better” the following day and was seen “waving its fins” in the tank, the aquarium said in its X post.
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The Sunfish’s Recovery
The day after the photos went up, the sunfish started waving its fins in the tank. Staff noticed it was more active and looked much better. The fish, which is about 80 cm long and weighs 30 kg, has a curious personality. It often swims up to people when they approach its tank.
Social Media’s Response
The story touched many hearts online. People shared photos and videos from past visits to the aquarium. Others promised to visit the sunfish once the aquarium reopens.
Other Innovative Ideas from Japan
During the pandemic, as zoos around the world reported that their animals were becoming lonely due to a lack of visitors, an aquarium in Tokyo organised an “emergency” video call event for its eels, which they believed had become uncomfortable with humans after not seeing them for a long time.
The story of the lonely sunfish highlights the emotional connections animals can form with humans. It also shows the dedication and creativity of aquarium staff in ensuring the well-being of their animals. Whether through photos, video calls, or other methods, these efforts remind us of the importance of caring for all living creatures. The Kaikyokan aquarium’s solution not only helped the sunfish recover but also brought joy to people worldwide.
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