This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-20663332

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Giant sunfish washed up on Overstrand beach in Norfolk Giant sunfish washed up on Overstrand beach in Norfolk
(about 2 hours later)
A giant fish rarely seen in the North Sea has washed up on a Norfolk beach.A giant fish rarely seen in the North Sea has washed up on a Norfolk beach.
The sunfish, which can grow to weigh up to 2,200 lbs (1,000kg) according to the British Marine Life Study Society, was found dead at Overstrand on Sunday morning.The sunfish, which can grow to weigh up to 2,200 lbs (1,000kg) according to the British Marine Life Study Society, was found dead at Overstrand on Sunday morning.
The fish cannot easily tolerate water temperatures below 12C (54F) and the North Sea in winter is much colder.The fish cannot easily tolerate water temperatures below 12C (54F) and the North Sea in winter is much colder.
It swims on its side on the surface to gain heat from the sun, which is how it got its English name.It swims on its side on the surface to gain heat from the sun, which is how it got its English name.
The sunfish, genus Mola Mola, from the Latin for millstone which it is said to resemble, thrives in tropical and semi-tropical water, the society said.The sunfish, genus Mola Mola, from the Latin for millstone which it is said to resemble, thrives in tropical and semi-tropical water, the society said.
'Unusual sighting'
The giant fish's main diet is jellyfish and because of its low mass the sunfish needs to eat many, so it is seen in warmer waters.The giant fish's main diet is jellyfish and because of its low mass the sunfish needs to eat many, so it is seen in warmer waters.
They also prey on crustaceans and squid but humans are banned from eating sunfish under European rules because parts of their bodies are thought to contain toxins.They also prey on crustaceans and squid but humans are banned from eating sunfish under European rules because parts of their bodies are thought to contain toxins.
There are frequent sighting of the fish off the south west coast of Ireland and the west coast of Scotland where waters are warmed by the gulf stream but they are rarely seen in winter around the British Isles because the waters are cold. There are frequent sightings of the fish off the south west coast of Ireland and the west coast of Scotland where waters are warmed by the gulf stream but they are rarely seen in winter around the British Isles because the waters are cold.
Jim Ellis, a fish biologist based at the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science in Lowestoft, said: "It is likely that the fish was carried along on a Gulf steam. Once in the North Sea, it would have been too cold for it.
"It's a very unusual and interesting sighting to us. We don't really know how rare sunfish are because not many people go looking for them."