Mr Blobby (fish)
| Species | Psychrolutes microporos |
|---|---|
| Cause of death | Decompression |
| Known for | Subject of meme |
| Awards | World's Ugliest Animal |
Mr Blobbyis a specimen ofPsychrolutes microporos,known for being the subject of an image macro meme reading "Go home evolution, you're drunk".[1][2][3]
Collection and photography
[edit]Mr Blobby was collected from the Norfolk Ridge during theNORFANZ Expeditionin June 2003. Caught at a depth between 1013 and 1340 metres by theRVTangaroa,[1]it is 285mm long[3]and had a parasiticcopepodat the side of its mouth.[2]
Although in its normal habitatP. microporoshas a sleeker look due to pressure, once brought to the surface Mr Blobby swelled, with a softer appearance. It was photographed in this state by Kerryn Parkinson,Australian Museumichthyologist.[1]After taking a more standard scientific image of the specimen, Parkinson decided it was "comical, charismatic and grumpy", photographing it from the front as well.[4]
Media profile
[edit]In 2010, the photograph was featured in the Australian television showThe Gruen Transfer,where advertising agencies were asked to design campaigns to 'save the blobfish'.[2]
Mr Blobby's profile was raised again when it won the title of ugliest animal in the world in 2013, a competition run by the Ugly Animal Preservation Society with the goal of drawing attention to less charismatic species.[5]
My Blobby appeared in the 2018 bookYou're Called What?by Kes Gray[6][7]
Scientific significance
[edit]Though not ataxonomically significant specimenofPsychrolutes microporos,Mr Blobby has been described as indicative of our limited knowledge of ocean fauna.[8]
Current state
[edit]Mr Blobby is stored at the Australian Museum' Ichthyology Collection in 70% ethyl alcohol.[3]This process has shrunk the specimen, and it now appears closer to its undersea form.[1]
References
[edit]- ^abcdRykers, Ellen (2023-06-07)."The story behind this famous face".The Spinoff.Retrieved2024-07-13.
- ^abcMagazine, Smithsonian; Lidz, Franz."Behold the Blobfish".Smithsonian Magazine.Retrieved2024-07-13.
- ^abc"Blobfish (aka Mr Blobby)".Australian Museum.3 November 2023.Archivedfrom the original on 8 July 2024.Retrieved13 July2024.
- ^Dalton, Angus (28 February 2022).""I try to find the beauty in everything": Checking in on the fugly fish that broke the internet ".Australian Geographic.Archivedfrom the original on 26 June 2023.Retrieved13 July2024.
- ^"Blobfish wins ugliest animal vote".BBC News.2013-09-12.Retrieved2024-07-13.
- ^"You're Called What?".
- ^"Book Review – You're Called What?!".14 May 2019.
- ^Dalton, Trent (17 January 2015)."The blobfish and other deep questions".The Weekend Australian Magazine.Archivedfrom the original on 25 September 2023.Retrieved13 July2024.
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