Do fish experience loneliness? According to staff at a Japanese aquarium, it seems they do. They provided cut-out human figures as companions for a solitary sunfish that appeared to be unwell. The fish, which weighs nearly 28kg and was brought to the Kaikyokan aquarium in Shimonoseki almost a year ago, began to show signs of distress after the facility closed for renovations in December. It stopped eating jellyfish and started rubbing against the tank’s sides.
Aquarium staff were concerned that the sunfish, caught in Japanese coastal waters, might be suffering from parasites or digestive issues. However, one staff member suggested that the fish might be struggling with the lack of visitors and the noise from construction. Initially met with skepticism, this theory turned out to be accurate. After staff taped large photos of human faces in uniforms to the tank, the sunfish quickly regained its appetite and appeared more content, as reported by the Mainichi Shimbun.
An aquarium expert noted, “It may have become lonely due to the sudden absence of visitors, which could have contributed to its health issues.” The sunfish had become a favorite attraction due to its friendly demeanor, often swimming up to visitors. A post about the fish on the aquarium’s X account garnered over 12.6 million views, with many comments wishing for its good health. A photo on the facility’s Instagram also received positive feedback.
While most Japanese people encounter sunfish—known for their large eyes and unique shape—in captivity, they are still caught as bycatch in some Pacific coastal regions. The agriculture ministry describes them as “chewy, with a texture similar to white fish or chicken breast.” Staff member Mai Kato expressed hope that the sunfish would reconnect with visitors when the aquarium reopens in the summer, saying, “I hope many people take interest in the sunfish, and when the renovation work is finished, I’d like visitors to wave to it in front of the tank.”
This isn’t the first time a Japanese aquarium has taken creative measures to ensure its animals have human interaction. In 2020, during the Covid-19 pandemic, staff at Sumida Aquarium in Tokyo reported that their garden eels were becoming increasingly anxious and hiding in the sand due to a lack of human contact. To address this, they set up tablets facing the tank, encouraging users to make calming video calls to the eels via FaceTime.
