Blobfish Underwater
The blobfish, colloquially referring to species of the family Psychrolutidae, is known for its “face” that forms due to pressure changes at the surface. Underwater it takes on a more fish-like shape. This article examines the discrepancy between meme and reality, based on scientific findings.
Quelle: Original Rendering
The Blobfish: Myth vs. Reality
The term "blobfish" colloquially refers to several species of the family Psychrolutidae, also known as Fathead Sculpins. Most commonly, this refers to Psychrolutes marcidus, the smooth-head blobfish from Australian waters. Its habitat is on the seafloor of the continental shelf, typically at depths of 600 to 1200 meters. There, the ambient pressure is 60 to over 100 times higher than on land (fishesofaustralia.net.au; sciencefocus.com). Unlike many bone fishes, blobfish lack a gas bladder. Its body is soft, weakly ossified and slightly less dense than water, which allows it to "hover" just above the seabed (nationalgeographic.com).
In 2003, a specimen, later nicknamed "Mr Blobby," was caught during the NORFANZ expedition on the Norfolk Ridge at depths of 1013 to 1340 meters. The viral photo was taken on deck, not underwater (australian.museum). In 2013 the blobfish won an online public poll by the Ugly Animal Preservation Society as "world’s ugliest animal." This was a deliberately pointed campaign for the conservation of "uncharismatic" species. In 2025 the blobfish was named "Fish of the Year" in New Zealand. The organizers pointed to risks from deep-sea trawling and to unclear stock estimates (scoop.co.nz). Underwater there are documented ROV footage of close relatives: from Psychrolutes occidentalis about 1220 m off Western Australia and from the blob Sculpin Psychrolutes phrictus in brooding behavior at depths of 1000 to 1600 m (mbari.org).
The "melting face" of the blobfish persisted because the dramatic deck photo triggers emotions and is perfect for memes, while real deep-sea footage is hard to access. The 2013 campaign used this dynamic to draw attention to less "photogenic" species – a media strategy that works but can distort the image. Technically, the matter is more prosaic: Without a gas bladder, with soft tissue and weak ossification, the blobfish adapts to high pressure. On the surface, tissues and proportions deform, creating the meme look. Media also frequently rely on readily available stock photos, which pushes underwater reality further into the background. Another piece of the puzzle: light disappears with depth, colors look different – hence, fish underwater often appear greyer or bluer, which makes visual verification more difficult.
Quelle: YouTube
MBARI shows here a close relative, the Blob Sculpin, guarding its eggs at about 1000 m depth – rare, reliable underwater footage provides helpful context.
It is established that the habitat of Psychrolutes marcidus lies on the continental shelf at depths of 600 to 1200 m off Australia and Tasmania. The body is soft, scaleless and weakly ossified. It is also established that the blobfish lacks a gas bladder. Under high pressure the surrounding environment keeps its shape, at the surface the tissue collapses – hence the strong discrepancy between underwater and surface photos (nationalgeographic.com; nationalgeographic.com).
Quelle: americanoceans.org
This is what the blobfish looks like in its natural deep-sea habitat: slender and with large eyes.
It is unclear how long blobfish actually live and how their total population should be estimated. Even in public campaigns the conservation status is described as uncertain; robust population data are lacking (scoop.co.nz).
Incorrect/Misleading is the claim "This is what a blobfish looks like underwater" with regard to the viral photo. The image shows an animal deformed at the surface. Underwater footage of close relatives and ROV images from depth demonstrate a clearly fish-like form (nationalgeographic.com; australian.museum; mbari.org).
Museums and researchers have long emphasized adaptation rather than the supposed "ugliness": The Mr. Blobby blog of the Australian Museum explains capture, depth, and photo conditions, including the small parasite at the corner of the mouth that makes the meme look even more striking (australian.museum). Populäre Medien greifen das Korrektiv auf: Smithsonian und National Geographic ordnen den Druckeffekt und die fehlende Gasblase als Kern der Verwandlung ein (smithsonianmag.com; nationalgeographic.com).
Quelle: animalia-life.club
Some blobfish species possess spines that provide protection in the deep sea.
If you search for "blobfish underwater" in the future, first check: Does the source show real deep-sea footage or a deck photo? ROV videos from research institutions are the gold standard, e.g., MBARI or Nautilus Live (mbari.org; oceanexplorer.noaa.gov). Second: Does the depth match the species? For P. marcidus, 600 to 1200 m is typical; deviations may indicate confusion with other Psychrolutes species. Third: Context framing. Campaigns like "Ugliest Animal" aimed to attract attention, not to depict biology – treat such labels as hooks, not as facts (theguardian.com).
Quelle: YouTube
Nautilus Live shows several blob Sculpins in situ – a helpful reference for how Psychrolutidae truly look under pressure.
Quelle: a-z-animals.com
The coloration of blobfish can vary, often brownish or pink-toned.
How frequently and where exactly P. marcidus is observed underwater remains unclear; robust in-situ photos of the species are rare. More ROV deployments in known distribution areas could better document morphology, behavior and stock. Also the impact of deep-sea trawling on blobfish stocks needs data beyond campaign hints (scoop.co.nz).
"Blobfish underwater" is less shock than a textbook: Under pressure the blobfish is a specialized, slow-living benthic animal with a soft body and no gas bladder. The infamous photo does not show a "natural" appearance, but a surface pressure effect. Those who use original sources and consider the deep-sea context see behind the meme a remarkable adaptation story (nationalgeographic.com; australian.museum; fishesofaustralia.net.au).