Why is the mola-mola believed by some to be bad omen?

Why do some people believe that a sighting of a sunfish, also known as mola-mola, is a bad omen?

According to #KuyaKimAnoNa on “24 Oras” Friday, some people think that the sea creature is a portent of catastrophe, such as earthquakes.

This is because the mola-mola lives in the depths of the sea. It is said that when these sea creatures appear on the surface, it’s because they sense seismic activity underwater.

One of the heaviest bony fishes, mola-mola can measure up to 14 feet in fin span and 10 feet width, and weigh up to 2,200 lbs or as heavy as a small vehicle.

Soledad Garibay, coordinator of Diwata Aquascape at UP Visayas Museum of Natural Sciences, said it was true that if there were movements underwater, the fishes could be the first to detect it.

“Either that they move horizontally or aakyat sila,” she said. “Maaring indikasyon ito ng mga paggalaw pero may mga ibang rason kung bakit sila umaakyat.”

Garibay said the fish may have moved to the surface because it was regulating its body temperature while looking for food.

“Mahirap magsabi na ’yun na ’yung basehan natin na talagang may mangyayari na susunod na paglindol,” she added.

Recently, a mola-mola was seen floating near the shore in San Ricardo, Southern Leyte.

Quarantine inspector Charles Aton said the big fish, which eventually died, weighed around 300 kg.

While residents were said to be fearful, no earthquake was reported after the sighting. – RC, GMA News