Brit Selwood stumbles across sunfish at Barwon Heads

An extraordinary sea creature has become an overnight sensation after a prominent Geelong figure came across the giant specimen on a local beach.

An extraordinary sea creature has beome an overnight sensation after a prominent Geelong figure came across the giant specimen on a local beach.

The rare sunfish, which is known to be one of the heaviest fish in the ocean washed up on the shores of Ocean Grove on Monday before quickly became a local drawcard taking beachgoers by surprise.

It became a social media sensation when Brit Selwood — whose husband Joel is captain of the Geelong Cats — shared it on her Instagram.

The Barwon Coast Committee of Management confirmed the safe removal of the sunfish on Tuesday morning, before confirming the presence of a dead seal on its shore further towards 42W, with staff set to investigate.

Brit Selwood uncovers a sunfish at 13th Beach. Picture: Instagram/@britselwood

A spokeswoman said staff attempted to move the fish on Monday but due to its weight they required bigger equipment for its safe removal.

“They are very rare so it is quite an exciting event for us,” she said.

Once removed the sunfish was disposed of at the Drysdale Resource Recovery Centre.

The last known visit to the Geelong region from the species was in July 2020, when a sunfish washed up in Kennett River.

Sunfish generally survive off jellyfish and are typically found in tropical and temperate waters worldwide.

It is understood their name comes from their habit of spending hours basking in the sun to increase body temperature.

Originally published as Brit Selwood stumbles across sunfish at Barwon Heads