In a heartwarming and unexpected turn of events, a Japanese aquarium has found a creative way to comfort a lonely sunfish that appeared distressed during the facility’s refurbishment.

Aquarium staff noticed that the sunfish, which had been a popular attraction at Kaikyokan in Shimonoseki, was not acting like its usual self after the aquarium closed in December for renovations.

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Weighing nearly 28kg, the sunfish had been brought to the aquarium from Japanese coastal waters about a year ago. When the aquarium closed for refurbishment, the fish began exhibiting unusual behaviour: it stopped eating jellyfish, rubbed itself against the tank's sides, and appeared generally unwell.

Initially, staff suspected that the sunfish might be suffering from parasites or digestive problems. However, one staff member theorized that the absence of visitors, combined with the noise and vibrations from ongoing construction, could be affecting the fish.

To test the theory, aquarium staff decided to attach large cut-out photos of human faces to a row of uniforms along the side of the tank. The results were immediate and surprising. Within a day, the sunfish began to eat again and showed signs of being more content.

According to an aquarium expert, the sudden lack of human interaction likely caused the sunfish to become lonely, which in turn contributed to its health issues.

“It may have become lonely due to the sudden absence of visitors, which could have contributed to its health issues,” the expert explained.

The sunfish had developed a special bond with aquarium visitors. Known for its curious nature, it would often swim up to visitors when they approached its tank. Mai Kato, a staff member, said that the fish’s friendly demeanour made it one of the most beloved creatures at the aquarium.

Following the success of the photos, the aquarium has received overwhelming support from the public. A post about the sunfish on the facility’s X account garnered over 12.6 million views, with people sending their well-wishes for the fish’s health.

Aquarium staff are hopeful that the sunfish will resume its connection with visitors when the facility reopens in the summer. Kato expressed her wish for the sunfish to continue its unique relationship with the public and encouraged visitors to wave at it once renovations are complete.

This story highlights not only the emotional intelligence of animals but also the extraordinary measures that aquariums are willing to take to ensure the well-being of their creatures, even in challenging times.

This is not the first time a Japanese aquarium has gone to creative lengths to ensure animal comfort. During the Covid-19 pandemic, staff at the Sumida Aquarium in Tokyo used FaceTime calls to calm their anxious garden eels, which had become stressed due to the lack of human visitors.