Blobfish Beauty: New Zealand Crowns Unconventional Underwater Creature Fish of the Year
In a stunning upset that celebrates the unconventional and challenges traditional notions of beauty, the blobfish has been crowned Fish of the Year in New Zealand. The Mountains to Sea Conservation Trust, a New Zealand-based environmental nonprofit, made the announcement, sparking a wave of delight and intrigue across the nation and beyond.
The blobfish, a denizen of the deep ocean, has long been relegated to the realm of "ugly" animals. Its gelatinous, drooping features and perpetually mournful expression have made it a popular target for memes and jokes. However, New Zealanders have embraced the blobfish’s unique appearance, recognizing its inherent value and the importance of protecting its fragile habitat.
"The blobfish had been sitting patiently on the ocean floor, mouth open waiting for the next mollusk to come through to eat. He has been bullied his whole life and we thought, Stuff this, it’s time for the blobfish to have his moment in the sun, and what a glorious moment it is," said Sarah Gandy and Paul Flynn, hosts of the radio show More FM, in a news release that perfectly captured the playful spirit of the competition.
The Fish of the Year competition saw a surge in participation this year, with more than 5,500 New Zealanders casting their votes, a significant increase from the 1,021 votes tallied in 2024, according to the Mountains to Sea Conservation Trust. This overwhelming support for the blobfish signals a growing awareness of the importance of marine conservation and a willingness to embrace the less conventionally "beautiful" creatures that inhabit our oceans.
The blobfish’s journey to becoming Fish of the Year is a testament to the power of changing perspectives. The fish gained notoriety in 2013 when it was declared the "world’s ugliest animal" during the British Science Festival. This unflattering label propelled the blobfish into the spotlight, leading to its widespread use in memes, appearances in various forms of media, and even the creation of squishy plush toys.
However, the blobfish’s "ugly" appearance is largely a result of the drastic change in environment it experiences when brought to the surface. In its natural habitat, the cold, dark depths of the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans, between 1,970 to 3,940 feet deep, the blobfish looks quite different. It resembles a more typical fish, adapted to withstand the immense pressure of the deep sea.
Scientist Richard Arnott explained to National Geographic that the blobfish’s gooey appearance is a consequence of rapid depressurization. The pressure at the depths where the blobfish lives can be a hundred times stronger than on land. At around 3,280 feet down, human lungs and other air-filled spaces would collapse.
To survive in this extreme environment, the blobfish’s body has evolved to have a high water and fat content. Its jelly-like flesh makes it less dense than water, allowing it to easily move around and maintain its position on the seabed without expending excessive energy.
The blobfish is a lie-in-wait predator, meaning it conserves energy by remaining stationary on the seabed, waiting for unsuspecting prey to pass by. This strategy allows it to survive in an environment where food can be scarce.
Blobfish reproduce in groups, laying around 100,000 eggs in each nest. The parents stay close to their nests, guarding and protecting their developing offspring.
While the blobfish is not currently listed as an endangered species, it faces increasing threats from human activities. Deep-sea fishing and bottom trawling, a destructive practice where weighted fishnets are dragged across the sea floor, pose significant dangers to the blobfish and its habitat. These activities can damage the seabed, disrupt the food chain, and inadvertently capture blobfish as bycatch.
The Mountains to Sea Conservation Trust’s Fish of the Year competition, which began in 2021, aims to raise awareness about these threats and educate New Zealanders about the diverse marine life that inhabits their waters. The competition provides an opportunity to learn about species that may be endangered or live in fragile ecosystems.
Previous winners of the Fish of the Year competition include the Eagle Ray in 2021 and 2022, the Oceanic Manta Ray in 2023, and the Spotty last year. These victories highlight the variety of marine life that New Zealanders are passionate about protecting.
Following the blobfish, the top nine fish in this year’s competition showcase the diverse range of marine species that captured the hearts and minds of New Zealanders.
The blobfish’s victory as Fish of the Year is a victory for all the unconventional and often overlooked creatures that play a vital role in our planet’s ecosystems. It is a reminder that beauty is subjective and that every species, regardless of its appearance, deserves our respect and protection. The Mountains to Sea Conservation Trust hopes that this year’s competition will inspire greater awareness of the challenges facing marine life and encourage action to protect our oceans for future generations. The blobfish, once relegated to the realm of the "ugly," now stands as a symbol of the importance of embracing diversity and protecting the fragile beauty of the deep sea.
