Psychrolutes microporos facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Psychrolutes microporos |
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The Psychrolutes microporos is a special kind of deep-sea fish. It is often called a blobfish or fathead. This unique fish lives deep in the ocean, especially around Australia and New Zealand. A picture of a blobfish taken in 2003 became very popular on the internet.
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How the Blobfish Was Found
Scientists first found a specimen of Psychrolutes microporos in 1983. It was caught by a research ship called the RV James Cook. Dr. Ignacio Hernández Ricordi was also involved in its discovery. Later, in 1995, a scientist named Joseph Nelson officially described this new species.
The first official specimen, called the holotype, is kept at the Museum of New Zealand. Another blobfish was found deep underwater, about 980 meters (3,215 feet) off the coast of New Zealand. In 2007, another one was collected in the Tasman Sea at a depth of 1,200 meters (3,937 feet).
What the Blobfish Looks Like
The Psychrolutes microporos is usually whitish in color. It is also flat from side to side and has a wide mouth. When blobfish are brought up from the deep ocean too quickly, they look very different. The sudden change in pressure causes their bodies to become a soft, jelly-like mass. This is why they are called "blobfish." They might also develop a large nose-like part.
However, in their natural home deep in the ocean, blobfish look quite different. They appear more like regular fish, with a compact body and no big nose. Blobfish are able to handle the very high pressures found in the deep ocean, which are much greater than pressures near the surface.
Where the Blobfish Lives
Psychrolutes microporos lives in the very deep parts of the ocean. You can find them between the mainland of Australia and the island of Tasmania. In 2003, two blobfish were found during a special trip called the NORFANZ Expedition. This trip lasted a month and explored the amazing variety of life on the underwater mountains and slopes of the Norfolk Ridge.
These two blobfish weighed about 1.7 kilograms (4 pounds) each. They were found in just one specific spot during the expedition.
How the Blobfish Lives
The body of the Psychrolutes microporos is very soft and jelly-like. This is a common feature for many deep sea fish. Scientists do not know much about how blobfish behave. This is because it is very hard to watch them in their natural deep-sea home.
It is believed that the blobfish is an ambush predator. This means it waits quietly for food to come close. Then, it quickly eats anything edible that comes within its reach. Because of its jelly-like body, the blobfish can even take in tiny amounts of arsenic toxins from the water.
