Blobfish are known for their unusual appearance, prompting questions about their nature and potential danger. These deep-sea inhabitants are entirely harmless to humans. They are small, typically under 30 centimeters, with soft bodies and no teeth. Most people will never encounter a live blobfish, as they reside in extreme ocean depths, far from human activity.
Deep-Sea Habitat and Unique Form
Blobfish, such as Psychrolutes marcidus, inhabit the cold, dark waters off the coasts of Australia, Tasmania, and New Zealand. They thrive at depths between 600 and 1,200 meters (about 2,000 to 3,900 feet), where the water pressure can be 60 to 120 times greater than at sea level. This intense pressure is an integral part of their environment, shaping their unique physical characteristics.
The blobfish’s body is adapted to these high-pressure conditions. Their flesh is a gelatinous mass with a density slightly less than water, allowing them to float just above the seafloor without expending much energy. Unlike most fish, they do not possess a swim bladder, which would implode under the immense deep-sea pressure. Instead, their soft bones and minimal muscle mass provide the flexibility and buoyancy needed for survival. In their native environment, a blobfish appears more like a typical fish, with a bulbous head, pronounced black eyes, and pectoral fins.
Assessing the Threat
The blobfish’s behavior confirms its non-threatening nature. These fish lead a sedentary lifestyle, often described as “lie-in-wait” predators. They float passively above the ocean floor, consuming edible matter like small crustaceans, sea snails, or detritus that drifts into their path. They are non-aggressive and lack mechanisms for harming humans, including venom or sharp teeth.
The “blob-like” appearance for which they are known is not how they exist in their deep-sea home. This transformation occurs when they are brought to the surface, experiencing a rapid drop in pressure. The sudden depressurization causes their gelatinous body, which relies on high external pressure for its structure, to expand and deform. This process often leads to tissue damage, causing the fish to lose its shape and appear as the characteristic sagging mass.
Blobfish caught as accidental bycatch in deep-sea trawling nets do not survive the journey to the surface. They are not sought for consumption due to their unappetizing texture and lack of flavor.