The blobfish belongs to the Psychrolutidae family. It's also known as the Australian goby or Psychrolute. This deep-sea dweller has an unusual appearance, which has made it popular worldwide. Some consider it an alien creature, others simply the ugliest fish in the world. Either way, it's impossible to remain indifferent to the blobfish.
History of discovery
The blobfish is quite large in size and weight.
The blobfish was first caught near the island of Tasmania by Australian fishermen in 1926. The specimen they caught sparked great interest, so they handed it over to scientists. Afterward, the creature was classified and forgotten for some time. This is due to its existence at significant depths (more than 500 meters), meaning it was impossible to study this marine creature in its natural habitat until the second half of the 20th century, when deep-sea vessels became available.
Previously, this strange monster had been found on the shores of Indonesia and Australia. But these were dead, half-decomposed specimens, so official science paid no attention to them. Everything changed thanks to technological advances and mechanical fishing vessels called trawlers, capable of hauling nets at great depths. It was thanks to them that the first living specimen was caught.
What does a blobfish look like?
The blobfish comes in several shades, the most common of which is light pink.
The fish is shaped like a drop, hence the name. Its length, according to various estimates, ranges from 30 to 80 cm. Its average weight is around 8–12 kg. Its color varies depending on its habitat and ranges from light pink to dark brown. At the front of the head is a nose-like structure, with two eyes located on either side of the nose, closer to the crown. The mouth is wide and arched downwards, giving the appearance of being in a bad mood or upset about something. The lips are thick and fleshy. The head is large compared to the rest of the body. Its proportions are roughly the same as those of the domestic sleeper.
The body surface is covered in mucus and resembles a frozen jelly or gelatin. Scales are completely absent. However, various growths are present on the body, the function of which is unknown; they may aid in camouflage. There are also fins—two on the sides and one on the tail—although they are poorly developed.
Overall, its appearance is, to put it mildly, repulsive. However, this is precisely what has made this species popular. The blobfish consistently ranks among various lists of the most disgusting or ugly creatures on our planet. With the rise of the internet, it has become the subject of all sorts of memes due to its unusual, sad expression. In any case, its appearance is unique and memorable.
Lifestyle and nutrition
The thickness of the water makes this fish more intimidating.
The blobfish is endemic and lives only off the coast of Australia at depths ranging from 500 m to 1500 m. The fish's density is slightly less than that of water. This allows the sea monster to swim without the swim bladder found in almost all other fish. At great depths, the pressure is so intense that the gas begins to liquefy, losing its properties.
It moves very slowly. This is due to its poorly developed muscles, which prevent its fins from generating the necessary momentum for swimming. However, its low body density compared to water and underwater currents propel the monster along the lower layers, right near the bottom. Its fins merely help to correct its direction. It appears to glide through the water without expending any energy.
To feed, the blobfish simply opens its wide mouth and swallows whatever it comes across. This could be mollusks, various invertebrates, plankton, or the fry of other fish. Once sated, it closes its mouth and swims on or retreats to a dark corner until it's hungry again.
Reproduction and lifespan
The fry of the droplet have a beige color, which helps protect them from potential predators.
It reproduces in a completely normal way. The male releases milt into the water, fertilizing the female. After the eggs mature, the female deposits them in the seabed. Surprisingly, she doesn't leave the area, but waits until the fry hatch. The "mother" then cares for and protects them for a long time.
Adults have no natural enemies, except humans, of course. At such great depths, there are simply no potential predators capable of harming this sea monster. Only the juveniles can fall prey to other seafloor inhabitants or even their adult counterparts, who might inadvertently swallow them.
The fish is poorly studied, and there's no specific information about when mating occurs or how it actually occurs. According to various sources, they live for approximately 10–15 years.
Blobfish become sexually mature and capable of reproducing at 5–7 years of age. This has a significant impact on the population size, which, incidentally, has been declining in recent years due to human activity. The species is already considered endangered.
Interesting facts
Blobfish is sometimes eaten, but not everyone considers it a delicacy.
Let's highlight the most interesting and informative facts about the most unusual fish on our planet:
- The blobfish's appearance served as the prototype for one of the alien creatures in the film Men in Black 2.
- It lacks a gas-filled swim bladder to regulate vertical movement. This function is performed by a gelatinous substance with a lower density than salt water.
- Although this sea creature is classified as a fish, it differs significantly from other fish. Its great depth and millions of years of evolution have created a vast gulf between the blobfish and other fish species. Interestingly, no intermediate links between them have yet been discovered. Not even a remotely close relative has been found. This is a unique and unlike any other creature.
- Blobfish have no natural predators. At this depth, the only potential threats are giant squid and fishing trawls.
- This is one of the few fish species that guards its eggs and cares for its offspring.
- The blobfish has excellent vision in complete darkness. Moreover, its eyes are positioned in such a way that it can see almost everything around it except the space below it. However, the creature swims above the bottom, so this is not so important.
- The strange, sad or melancholy expression of the "face" is achieved by the downward-curling corners of the wide mouth. A particularly piquant appearance is added by a protrusion resembling a nose. It was this appearance that made her popular.
- In Australia and Europe, it's considered inedible. Meanwhile, residents of Southeast Asia consider it a delicacy. In Japan, China, and Indonesia, some restaurants serve exotic dishes with blobfish. The meat has a distinctive flavor and is unlikely to appeal to gourmets.
- Blobfish are not specifically caught. They are caught in shrimp and lobster trawls, or sometimes washed ashore.
Every year, humans cover ever larger areas of the sea with fishing nets. This impacts the blobfish population, as it is not accustomed to hiding and is unable to escape when threatened. Commercial shrimp and lobster fishing causes irreparable damage to the species. Captured individuals cannot be released and die after rising to the surface. This deep-sea species cannot tolerate pressure fluctuations.
The fish is already endangered, and conservationists have been campaigning for years to protect it. Difficulties also include its low reproductive capacity, which is why the population is reproducing too slowly. Progress has been made, but it's not enough to fully guarantee the conservation of this wondrous creature.
