Once labeled the “world’s ugliest animal,” the gelatinous blobfish has now earned a new distinction as New Zealand’s Fish of the Year.
The Psychrolutes marcidus thrives in the deep-sea waters off New Zealand and Australia, where extreme pressure has shaped its unique anatomy. Lacking a swim bladder, full skeleton, muscles, or scales, its soft, buoyant tissue allows it to effortlessly float above the seafloor.
With a lifespan of up to 130 years, the blobfish is slow-moving and patiently waits for prey to wander into its mouth, explains Konrad Kurta from the Mountains to Sea Conservation Trust. Despite its sluggish nature, it is a devoted parent, with females laying up to 100,000 eggs per nest and guarding them until they hatch.
The blobfish gained internet fame over a decade ago when a New Zealand research crew captured a rare image of it. While in its deep-sea habitat, it resembles a bulbous fish, but when brought to the surface, the sudden decompression distorts its appearance.
Though its conservation status remains unclear, deep-sea trawling poses a serious threat to its population and habitat. The species often gets caught in bottom-trawling for orange roughy, raising concerns among environmentalists.
The 2025 Fish of the Year contest saw 5,583 votes, with the blobfish securing victory with 1,286 votes, surpassing the orange roughy by 300.
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