A sunfish aquarium in Japan got sick when it was closed. Human incisions helped her recover.

A solitary sunfish at an aquarium in southwestern Japan has lost its appetite, started clawing at the side of the fish tank and fell ill after the facility was closed for maintenance last month. In a last-ditch effort to save the popular fish, its keepers hung up their uniforms and set up human cutouts outside the tank.

Moe Miyazawa, an aquarium master at the Kaikyokan Aquarium in Shimonoseki, said the sunfish ate for the first time in about a week this morning and is steadily recovering.

The giant sunfish arrived at the aquarium in February 2024 from the south coast of Kochi, Pacific Ocean. The sunfish, a member of the blowfish family known for its unique shape and large eyes, has become one of the facility’s most popular attractions.

After the aquarium closed for six months of maintenance on Dec. 1, when the sunfish began to look ill, its keepers suspected digestive problems, gave it less food and visited the fish tank to comfort the sunfish when there was construction noise, but no. benefit.

Then, at a staff meeting, someone said that the sunfish might be affected by the sudden absence of spectators.

“We were skeptical, but decided to give it our best shot,” Miyazawa said. Miyazawa said they hung their uniforms and placed human cutouts with photos of smiling faces on the outside of the tank to cheer on the fish.

“I knew (the sunfish) was watching us when we put them in, but I never thought it would start eating the next day,” Miyazawa said, beaming. The staff now visit more often and wave at the sunfish.

Aquarium keepers say they hope many fans will return to see the sunfish when the aquarium reopens in the summer.