In brief
A sunfish named Hachi at Japan's Kaikyokan Aquarium faced health issues due to loneliness during renovations, leading staff to create cardboard friends for the fish, which improved its well-being.
In a heartwarming tale from Japan, a sociable sunfish named Hachi at the Kaikyokan Aquarium discovered an unusual remedy for loneliness during the aquarium's renovation closure. Staff noticed the sunfish was no longer eating jellyfish and seemed distressed, prompting them to think outside the box. As a last resort, they adorned the tank with cardboard cutouts of human faces dressed in aquarium uniforms.The results were astonishing! According to the aquarium's social media updates, Hachi showed immediate signs of improvement and was soon swimming around happily, even "waving its fins" in delight. The aquarium staff speculated that the fish's health problems stemmed from missing the daily interaction with visitors.Sunfish are notoriously delicate creatures, only found in select aquariums worldwide due to their complex care requirements. Measuring 80cm long and weighing around 30kg, Hachi had developed a friendly relationship with visitors before the closure.The post about the enlightening cardboard intervention sparked an eruption of support from netizens, with many sharing memories and promising to visit Hachi when the aquarium reopened. This is not the first time an aquarium in Japan has innovated to combat loneliness among its inhabitants, as witnessed during the pandemic when Tokyo's aquarium set up video calls for its eels. A delightful reminder of creativity and compassion, Hachi's story has captured the hearts of many and reinforces the importance of social interaction—even for the most unlikely of friends!
