In southwestern Japan, an aquarium was faced with a distressing situation involving a sunfish that began to show signs of unhappiness and a loss of appetite shortly after the facility shut down for renovations. Concern arose when the sunfish started banging against the tank walls, prompting the aquarists to take immediate action to support their beloved aquatic resident during this challenging time. To bring back some normalcy and comfort to the creature, the staff resorted to hanging their uniforms and installing cardboard cutouts of people outside the tank to create a more familiar environment.
According to Moe Miyazawa, an aquarist at the Kaikyokan aquarium in Shimonoseki, the sunfish responded positively the following morning, consuming food for the first time in nearly a week, marking a significant improvement in its health. The extensive renovations at the aquarium, which commenced on December 1 and are expected to last six months, coincided with the sunfish’s decline in well-being. The unique creature, recognized for its big eyes and distinct shape, was originally brought to the aquarium in February 2024 from Kochi’s southern coastline, quickly gaining a reputation as one of the main attractions.
Initially, the aquarium staff considered that the fish might be suffering from digestive issues and attempted to alleviate its condition by feeding it smaller portions. They also made efforts to comfort the sunfish amid the noisy construction around, although these attempts didn’t yield the desired results at first. It was during a staff meeting that one employee remarked on the absence of visitors and suggested this might be impacting the fish adversely.
“Initially, we had our doubts, but we resolved to try everything we could think of,” Miyazawa commented on the team’s decision. The introduction of their uniforms and cheerful, human-shaped cutouts was an attempt to boost the sunfish’s spirits. As the cutouts were being placed, Miyazawa noticed the sunfish observing the activity, but he was surprised to discover that it began eating again the very next day.
The staff has since become more involved, making frequent visits to the tank and waving at the sunfish, creating a more interactive atmosphere for it. With hopes of attracting many visitors once the renovations are completed in the summer, the aquarium staff eagerly anticipate welcoming fans back to see the sunfish, which has grown to symbolize resilience and the bond between animals and their caretakers.
