Mr Blobby (fish)
Famous blobfish
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Mr Blobby (officially designated AMS I.42771-001[1]) was a specimen of Psychrolutes microporos, known for being the subject of an image macro meme reading "Go home evolution, you're drunk".[2][3][1]
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| |
| Species | Psychrolutes microporos |
|---|---|
| Died | June 2003 |
| Cause of death | Decompression |
| Resting place | Australian Museum |
| Known for | Subject of meme |
| Awards | World's Ugliest Animal |
Collection and photography
Mr Blobby was collected from the Norfolk Ridge during the NORFANZ Expedition in June 2003. Caught at a depth between 1013 and 1340 metres by the RV Tangaroa,[2] it is 285mm long[1] and had a parasitic copepod at the side of its mouth.[3]
Due to high pressure in P. microporos' natural habitat, their appearance resembles a tadpole-shaped fish with tapered tails rather than the soft, swollen appearance in the photograph, which is a result of barotrauma (cell rupturing due to differences in pressure) caused by rapid decompression as it is brought to the surface.[4]
It was photographed in this state by Kerryn Parkinson, Australian Museum ichthyologist.[2] 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.[5]
Media profile
In 2010, the photograph was featured in the Australian television show The Gruen Transfer, where advertising agencies were asked to design campaigns to 'save the blobfish'.[3]
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.[6]
Mr Blobby appeared in the 2018 book You're Called What? by Kes Gray.[7][8]
Scientific significance
Though not a taxonomically significant specimen of Psychrolutidae, Mr Blobby has been described as indicative of the limited knowledge humans have of ocean fauna.[9]
Mr Blobby is stored at the Australian Museum's Ichthyology Collection in 70% ethyl alcohol.[1] This process has shrunk the specimen, and it now appears closer to its undersea form.[2]