As Phil reported yesterday, we encountered a small school of juvenile Mola molas on the barge. A high proportion of them had been mutilated by sea lions. I found that the intact molas were skittish, while the injured ones allowed a close approach, some even swimming directly toward me.

This mola is missing its dorsal fin.

Both the pectoral fin and dorsal fin are absent, with damage on the pelvic fin.

Dorsal and pelvic truncated.

This group seemed more curious than the ones we usually see. They came to check us out on the anchor line several times.

Scrippsia pacifica

Tritonia festiva on algae

The barge is loaded with little crabs, but I haven't figured out how to better isolate them from their background.

This tiny guy is wearing sponge!

• Tierney Thys swims with the giant sunfish - A TED talk

• Re: Banged-up molas on the barge Chris 10:41:49 09/05/12 (0)
• Re: Banged-up molas on the barge iuhalt 07:32:21 09/05/12 (0)
• Re: Banged-up molas on the barge Kevin Lee 22:24:33 09/04/12 (0)