Aquarium’s innovative solution for a distressed fish

Staff at the Kaikyokan Aquarium in Shimonoseki, Japan, turned to an unconventional method to uplift the spirits of a solitary sunfish. After noticing signs of distress and deteriorating health in the popular attraction, they used life-sized cutouts of humans to simulate companionship—and it worked.

The sunfish, known for its friendly demeanor, became unwell following the aquarium’s temporary closure in December for refurbishment. “He was feeling a little unwell right after the closure. We didn’t know the cause and tried various things to deal with it, but one of the staff members said, ‘Maybe he’s lonely without the visitors?’” read a post on the aquarium’s X (formerly Twitter) account, which has since gone viral with over 12.7 million views.

Signs of distress spark concern

Aquarium staff first noticed troubling behavior when the sunfish stopped eating and began rubbing its body against the tank walls. Initially, they suspected health issues like parasites or digestive problems. However, further observation led to a different hypothesis—the absence of visitors, coupled with loud construction noises during the refurbishment, may have caused the fish emotional distress.

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“It may have become lonely due to the sudden absence of visitors, which could have contributed to its health issues,” an aquarium expert told local media.

To test their theory, staff taped large photos of human faces affixed to uniforms around the sunfish’s tank. Remarkably, the fish’s condition improved within days, with its appetite returning and its overall demeanor becoming more lively.

Sunfish thrives on human interaction

The sunfish, one of the aquarium’s most beloved residents, is known for its curious nature. “It’s curious and would swim up to visitors when they approached the tank,” shared Mai Kato, a member of the Kaikyokan staff. The sudden closure left the sunfish without its usual interactions, leading to what appeared to be loneliness-induced stress.

Not the first unusual effort by Japanese aquariums

This isn’t the first time a Japanese aquarium has turned to creative measures to help its animals adjust to the absence of human visitors. During the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, Tokyo’s Sumida Aquarium noticed that its garden eels began hiding beneath the sand after “forgetting” human faces. To address the issue, the aquarium encouraged people to make video calls to the eels via the FaceTime app.

“Here is an urgent request,” the aquarium announced at the time. “Could you show your face to our garden eels from your home?”

A viral success

The sunfish’s story has captured the imagination of audiences worldwide, sparking discussions about the emotional well-being of animals in captivity. As aquariums and zoos increasingly explore how to balance care with enrichment, Kaikyokan’s simple yet ingenious solution serves as a reminder of the deep connection between humans and animals—even those beneath the surface of the sea.