Lonely Sunfish Finds Comfort with Cardboard Friends in Japan’s Kaikyokan

The Kaikyokan aquarium in Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi prefecture, devised a unique solution for a lonely sunfish experiencing health issues related to the aquarium’s temporary closure. The aquarium shared a heartwarming photo on its social media account showing the sunfish swimming past cardboard cutouts of human faces attached to uniforms, invoking a visceral reminder of its disappearing visitors.According to aquarium staff, this unconventional tactic was a "last resort" to combat the sunfish's distress, which had begun when the facility shut down for renovations in December. After the closure, the sunfish reportedly stopped eating jellyfish and started showing signs of distress by rubbing its body against the tank walls. Initially suspected of suffering from parasites or digestive problems, staff later considered that the absence of visitors might have led to its loneliness.With a length of 80 cm and a weight nearing 30 kg, the sunfish is a sizeable creature, known to be a rare sight in aquariums due to their particular care requirements. Staff member Mai Kato remarked that the sunfish, which arrived at the aquarium a year ago, had a curious disposition and was often seen interacting with guests by swimming up when visitors approached the tank.After the cardboard installations were put in place, the aquarium reported a notable change in the sunfish's behavior, noting it appeared "healthier" and was "waving its fins" energetically the very next day. The post shared by the aquarium drew warm responses from the public, with many recalling their past encounters with the sunfish and expressing intentions to visit once the facility reopened.The approach taken by Kaikyokan is not unprecedented; during the pandemic, various aquariums faced similar challenges of animal loneliness. In one notable instance, an aquarium in Tokyo set up video calls to connect its eels with visitors, aiming to alleviate their discomfort from prolonged visitor absence. This latest instance reiterates the dedication of Japanese aquariums to finding inventive means to ensure the health and happiness of the animals in their care.