The blobfish, once known as the world's ugliest animal, has made a surprising comeback with this unexpected victory. Getty Images
The blobfish, often called the world’s ugliest animal, has just earned a surprising victory. It was named Fish of the Year by a New Zealand environmental group, beating out several other contenders. The annual competition, organized by the Mountain to Sea Conservation Trust, highlights unique and often overlooked marine creatures.
The blobfish, with its soft, squishy appearance, won nearly 1,300 out of the 5,500 total votes. It defeated the orange roughy, a deep-sea fish known for the mucous canals on its head, which had been the early frontrunner. The competition became even more intense when two local radio hosts launched a campaign urging their listeners to vote for the blobfish.
“There's an up-and-coming fish that needs your support,” the hosts encouraged their audience. Their efforts paid off, pushing the blobfish into first place.
The blobfish’s victory was celebrated by the radio hosts. “This little guy has been sitting at the bottom of the ocean, getting bullied for being ugly. It was time for him to have his moment in the sun—and what a moment it is!” they said.
The blobfish typically lives in the deep waters off Australia’s coast, at depths between 2,000 and 4,000 feet (600 to 1,200 meters). At these depths, it looks much like a regular fish because the high water pressure keeps its body in shape. However, when it is brought to the surface, the lack of pressure makes it expand into its famously droopy, blob-like form.
Despite its unappealing appearance, the blobfish plays an important role in the ocean’s ecosystem. It feeds on crustaceans, including crabs, lobsters, and mollusks, helping maintain a balance in the deep-sea environment.
Unlike most fish, the blobfish has no scales or strong skeleton. Its body is mostly gelatinous, allowing it to survive the intense pressure of its deep-sea habitat. However, this also makes it extremely vulnerable to deep-sea trawling, which has placed the species at risk. Conservationists warn that without protection, the blobfish could face further population declines.
The Mountain to Sea Conservation Trust hopes that by naming the blobfish as Fish of the Year, it will raise awareness about protecting lesser-known marine creatures. “This was a battle of two deep-sea underdogs,” said Kim Jones, co-director of the trust. “The blobfish’s unconventional charm ultimately won over voters.”
New Zealand also holds a Bird of the Year contest. Last year, the rare hoiho, a yellow-eyed penguin, claimed the title. These lighthearted competitions aim to educate the public about the country’s rich and diverse wildlife, many of which face growing threats from human activity.
