Mr Blobby (fish)
,_2003.jpg) | |
| Species | Psychrolutes microporos |
|---|---|
| Cause of death | Decompression |
| Known for | Subject of meme |
| Awards | World's Ugliest Animal |
Mr Blobby is a specimen of Psychrolutes 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 the NORFANZ Expedition in June 2003. Caught at a depth between 1013 and 1340 metres by the RV Tangaroa,[1] it is 285mm long[3] and had a parasitic copepod at the side of its mouth.[2]
Although in its normal habitat P. microporos has 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 Museum ichthyologist.[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 show The 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]
Mr Blobby appeared in the 2018 book You're Called What? by Kes Gray[6][7]
Scientific significance
[edit]Though not a taxonomically significant specimen of Psychrolutes microporos, Mr Blobby has been described as indicative of the limited knowledge humans have of ocean fauna.[8]
Mr Blobby is stored at the Australian Museum's 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]- ^ a b c d Rykers, Ellen (2023-06-07). "The story behind this famous face". The Spinoff. Retrieved 2024-07-13.
- ^ a b c Magazine, Smithsonian; Lidz, Franz. "Behold the Blobfish". Smithsonian Magazine. Retrieved 2024-07-13.
- ^ a b c "Blobfish (aka Mr Blobby)". Australian Museum. 3 November 2023. Archived from the original on 8 July 2024. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
- ^ 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. Archived from the original on 26 June 2023. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
- ^ "Blobfish wins ugliest animal vote". BBC News. 2013-09-12. Retrieved 2024-07-13.
- ^ "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. Archived from the original on 25 September 2023. Retrieved 13 July 2024.