A solitary sunfish at an aquarium in southwestern Japan faced a troubling decline in health, losing its appetite and repeatedly banging against its tank after the facility temporarily closed for renovations on December 1. The aquarium staff, concerned about the fish's well-being, implemented creative solutions to alleviate its stress. They hung their uniforms and placed human cutouts with smiling faces outside the tank, hoping to provide some comfort to their beloved sunfish.

The innovative approach appears to have paid off; just the following morning, the sunfish ate for the first time in a week, according to aquarist Moe Miyazawa from the Kaikyokan aquarium in Shimonoseki. The sunfish, a popular attraction known for its unique shape and large eyes, had been with the aquarium since February 2024, arriving from the southern coast of Kochi.

Initially, staff had suspected that the sunfish's unwell state was due to digestive problems, leading them to reduce its food intake and take turns visiting to offer comfort amid ongoing construction noise. However, during a staff meeting, a suggestion was made that the fish might be affected by the absence of audience interactions.

“We were skeptical but decided to do anything we could,” Miyazawa said. After putting up the cutouts, the aquarist noticed that the sunfish seemed engaged and started eating soon afterward. “I knew it was looking at us when we were placing them, but I never thought it would start eating the next day,” she added.

With their renewed commitment to visiting more frequently and waving to the fish, the staff hopes that once the aquarium reopens in summer, many fans will return to see this resilient sunfish. Learn more about this remarkable recovery through the reports from AP News and CBS News.