Why does being this ugly have its advantages in our digital world? The blobfish has become one of the most instantly recognizable deep-sea creatures under the sea, and we are talking way down. Normally at some 2,000′ to 4,000′ feet below, wow! This may explain its droopy and bloated sad face and flat nose. Some have said the blobfish is so ugly its mom could only love it. Found off the coast of Australia & New Zealand, but here as you will see below, the Emerald Coast, aka 30A beaches, offers its own underwater oddities art exhibit Underwater Museum of Art listed below. You can get outdoors and into what our world-class beach communities offer.
If you were asked to think of the ugliest creature you can imagine, you might picture the blobfish: a pale pink gelatinous blob with a droopy, downturned mouth and large, sagging nose. After being named the world’s ugliest animal in 2013, this hideous fish soared to fame—with memes, songs, soft toys, and even TV characters created in its honor.
National Geographic
The Blobfish Facts Updated
YouTube creator describes Blobfish as: “Quick facts about this gelatinous deep sea creature! The blobfish (Psychrolutes marcidus, Mr. Blobby)! Blobfish facts! Family Psychrolutidae. Commonly mistaken for the blob sculpin (Psychrolutes phrictus) and named the world’s ugliest animal in 2013. Psychrolutes microporos, Australian sculpin. They even make an appearance in Animal Crossing. See what the blobfish looks like underwater and learn what’s inside the blobfish.”
Why is it Called a Blobfish? Mr. Blobby
“The scientists and crew on board the RV Tangaroa, affectionately called this fish ‘Mr Blobby’. The fish’s body is flabby and not adapted to be out of water! The yellowish ‘blob’ on the right side of Mr Blobby’s mouth is a parasitic copepod. The specimen now resides in the Australian Museum Ichthyology Collection (AMS I.42771-001). It was initially fixed in formaldehyde and is now preserved in 70% ethyl alcohol. The fixation process has ‘tightened’ Mr Blobby’s skin so his ‘nose’ has shrunk, and he no longer retains his ‘cute’ look.” -Australian Museum.
More About the Underwater Museum of Art
In 2018, The Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County (CAA) in partnership with South Walton Artificial Reef Association (SWARA) and with support from Visit South Walton, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Alys Foundation, and Visit Florida joined two of Walton County, Florida’s most beloved attractions – the arts and the Gulf of Mexico – with the introduction of The Underwater Museum of Art (UMA), North America’s first underwater permanent sculpture exhibit.
Find out more information on the Underwater Museum of Art and the new 2023 installations here. Some samples below.
