# How Long Do Ocean Sunfish Live?

> Ocean Sunfish lifespan is typically 8–10 years in the wild. What shortens or extends life, life stages, and status (Vulnerable).

- **Species:** Ocean Sunfish (*Mola mola*)
- **Conservation status:** Vulnerable
- **Diet:** Carnivore — jellyfish, salps, and small fish
- **Habitat:** Temperate and tropical oceans worldwide
- **Lifespan:** 8–10 years in the wild
- **Top speed:** Up to 5 km/h (3 mph); slow swimmer
- **Canonical HTML:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/ocean-sunfish/how-long-do-ocean-sunfish-live/
- **Parent profile:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/ocean-sunfish/
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-07-16

## Quick answer

The ocean sunfish, or mola, is the heaviest bony fish in the world, reaching up to about 2,000 kg and 3 m across in the largest specimens. Found in temperate and tropical oceans worldwide, it is a harmless drifter that swims slowly at up to 5 km/h and feeds mostly on jellyfish. Molas are famous for basking flat at the surface, live around 8 to 10 years, and are classed as Vulnerable.

## Who should skip this page

Skip this if you need a prognosis for one named animal. This page is a species lifespan range.

## The heaviest bony fish

The ocean sunfish holds the record as the heaviest bony fish on Earth, with the largest individuals weighing up to about 2,000 kg (4,400 lb) and measuring around 3 m from fin tip to fin tip. Its body looks like a giant swimming head that ends abruptly, because it never develops a normal tail. In place of a tail it has a rounded rudder called a clavus, formed from the back of the body.

## Help protect the Ocean Sunfish

Ocean wildlife is under mounting pressure from overfishing, bycatch and plastic pollution.

[Donate to wildlife protection](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/donate/)

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Source: Global Animal Guide (https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/ocean-sunfish/how-long-do-ocean-sunfish-live/). Licensed CC BY-NC 4.0 — free for non-commercial reuse with attribution.