Blobfish facts for kids
The blobfish is a fascinating deep-sea fish. Its scientific name is Psychrolutes marcidus. You can find blobfish mainly in the deep waters near Australia, Tasmania, and New Zealand. They live very far down, usually between 610 to 1,220 meters (about 2,000 to 4,000 feet) below the surface. At these depths, the water pressure is much, much higher than on land. Blobfish are part of a fish family called Psychrolutidae.
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What Does a Blobfish Look Like?
Blobfish have a very unique look. Their bodies are soft and jelly-like. Unlike many fish, they do not have a swim bladder. A swim bladder is an organ that helps fish float. Instead, the blobfish's body is slightly lighter than water. This lets them float easily just above the ocean floor.
Most blobfish are less than 30 centimeters (about 12 inches) long. They are usually grayish or whitish-pink in color. They also have large eyes and a bulbous, or rounded, head.
How Do Blobfish Live and Eat?
Blobfish are not fast swimmers. They save their energy by waiting for food to come to them. This is called a "passive feeding strategy." They eat small crustaceans and other tiny bits of food that float into their mouths. Because they do not have much muscle, they use very little energy. This helps them survive in the cold, deep ocean.
Special Adaptations of the Blobfish
The blobfish's famous "blob" shape is not how they look underwater. When they are brought up from the deep ocean too quickly, their soft bodies change. The huge drop in water pressure makes them collapse. This is why they look like a "blob" when seen on land. This strange look has made them famous as one of the "ugliest" animals. But underwater, they look more like a typical fish.
Are Blobfish in Danger?
Blobfish can be caught by accident in deep-sea fishing nets. These nets are used to catch other sea animals. Scientists believe that blobfish populations might be vulnerable. This means they could be at risk because of overfishing. Overfishing can harm their homes deep in the ocean.
Why is the Blobfish Famous?
The blobfish became very popular on the internet. A picture of a blobfish went viral, meaning it was shared by many people. It was even named the "world's ugliest animal" by the Ugly Animal Preservation Society. This fame has helped people talk about protecting less "glamorous" animals, like the blobfish.
See also
- Psychrolutidae, the family of fish that blobfish belong to
- Psychrolutes microporos, also known as a blobfish or fathead, famous from a well-known photo
- Psychrolutes marcidus, often called the smooth-head blobfish or simply a blobfish
- Psychrolutes occidentalis, known as the Western blobfish
- Psychrolutes phrictus, the blob sculpin, another fish often called a blobfish
- Ebinania macquariensis, the Macquarie blobfish
