Japanese Aquarium Uses Cardboard Friends to Lift Sunfish's Spirits

In an innovative response to a sunfish's distress, the Kaikyokan aquarium installed cardboard human figures in front of its tank, effectively lifting the fish's spirits and improving its health after a period of loneliness and inactivity.

In Japan’s Kaikyokan aquarium, a sunfish has been surprising staff with an amusing solution to its emotional needs during a temporary closure. As the aquarium in Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi prefecture, underwent renovation, a sociable sunfish began showing signs of unease, ceasing to eat jellyfish and rubbing against its tank.

Concerned for its well-being, staff initially suspected health-related issues like parasites, but one member proposed that the fish might be missing human interaction due to the absence of visitors. In an unorthodox move, they created a display featuring photographs of human faces attached to uniforms to simulate companionship.

This imaginative approach appeared to yield positive results. The aquarium reported that the sunfish felt revitalized after the cardboard friends were introduced, with staff noting its lively behavior upon their return to the tank the following day. The aquatic creature, roughly 80 cm long and weighing approximately 30 kg, had previously welcomed visitors by swimming up to the glass.

The aquarium shared this delightful outcome on social media, leading to an outpouring of support from the public. Many users responded with fond memories and photos from their visits, eager to return once renovations are completed.

Japan has a history of creatively addressing the needs of aquatic life; this approach follows a similar initiative during the pandemic when a Tokyo aquarium held video calls to help its eels cope with visitor absence. The success of such programs highlights the importance and benefits of emotional well-being in captive animals.