Western Australian Sculpin facts for kids

The Psychrolutes occidentalis, also known as the western Australian sculpin or western blobfish, is a special type of deep-sea fish. It belongs to the Psychrolutidae family, which includes other interesting fish like the famous blobfish. This fish lives deep in the ocean, near the bottom, along the edge of the land under the sea, west of Australia.

Where Does the Western Australian Sculpin Live?

This unique fish has only been found in a few places in the eastern Indian Ocean. Scientists have discovered them near the Rowley Shoals, which are off the coast of northwestern Australia, and also near Tasmania.

These fish live very deep underwater, usually between 350 and 700 meters (about 1,150 to 2,300 feet) below the surface. Finding the western Australian sculpin in these areas was a bit of a surprise because most fish from the Psychrolutes family don't usually live in warm, tropical waters.

What Does the Western Australian Sculpin Look Like?

The western Australian sculpin is a demersal fish, which means it lives on or near the bottom of the ocean. It grows to be about 11 centimeters (about 4.3 inches) long. That's roughly the length of a typical smartphone!

This fish has a soft body and head that are reddish-brown in color. Its skin is thin and loose, and it covers all of its fins. This soft, jelly-like body helps it survive the extreme pressure of the deep sea.

See Also

• Deep-sea fish
• Indian Ocean

You can also learn more about Psychrolutes occidentalis in Spanish here: Psychrolutes occidentalis para niños