28/08/2026
Not every Mola is shy⌠sometimes, they come to youâď¸
Today on the East Coast of Nusa Penida, we had a beautiful encounter with a Mola alexandrini â and this one was definitely not afraid of divers đ¤ż
The Mola slowly approached our group and appeared to be waiting for its turn for the cleaning session⌠while the cleaner fish were nowhere to be seen yet.
But why do Mola need cleaning?
Mola can carry a surprisingly large number of external parasites on their skin and around their fins. These can include tiny parasitic crustaceans and other organisms that attach themselves to the Mola and feed from its skin, mucus, or tissues. For a giant fish that spends much of its life in the open ocean, keeping these unwanted passengers under control is important.
This is where the reef community comes in.
Small reef fish, particularly banner-fish, remove parasites and dead or damaged tissue from the Molaâs body. The Mola gets a thorough clean, while the cleaner fish get an easy meal.
Thatâs mutualism â a relationship where both species benefit.
And sometimes, the Mola will patiently position itself at a cleaning station, waiting for the cleaners to get to work.
Today, this Mola seemed perfectly comfortable with us being nearby. But remember: a comfortable Mola is not an invitation to approach or touch.
Give them space. Stay calm. Let them decide the distance.
Because when you respect their space, you might just get lucky enough to have a Mola come to you instead.
Wildlife encounters are always better when they happen on the animalâs terms.
