| The Abyss - Blobfish & Snailfish |
| Written by Jonathan C. Wojcik - Photo credits unknown or from public news articles unless otherwise noted. If you know their sources and need them credited or removed, please e-mail me. |
This comical puddle of flesh has become one of the most popular photographs of any
deep-sea animal on the internet, featured on innumerable "weird animal" blogs. Of course,
this "blobfish" only looks so disturbing because it's a deceased specimen brought to the
surface. Like a jellyfish, the density of its body is less than that of water, holding a more
consistent shape in its natural environment:
deep-sea animal on the internet, featured on innumerable "weird animal" blogs. Of course,
this "blobfish" only looks so disturbing because it's a deceased specimen brought to the
surface. Like a jellyfish, the density of its body is less than that of water, holding a more
consistent shape in its natural environment:
Disappointing though it may be, the Psychrolutidae or "fatheads" look a lot less outlandish
underwater, though certainly unusual for Scorpaeniformes, which include the stonefish and
beautiful lionfish of brighter waters. Adapted to expend as little energy as possible, they drift
lazily in place for hours, swallowing whatever food just happens to drift close enough.
Unusually for abyss-dwellers, they have been observed carefully protecting their eggs and
young in community nesting sites.
underwater, though certainly unusual for Scorpaeniformes, which include the stonefish and
beautiful lionfish of brighter waters. Adapted to expend as little energy as possible, they drift
lazily in place for hours, swallowing whatever food just happens to drift close enough.
Unusually for abyss-dwellers, they have been observed carefully protecting their eggs and
young in community nesting sites.
| Unknown fathead - maybe a larva? |
| Images © MBARI |
Now, if you're looking for a blobby Scorpaeniform that really does look that freaky, look no
further than the abyssal snailfish. Snailfish throughout the sea exhibit strange and seemingly
degenerate behavior, one variety even living its entire life within the body of a scallop, while
in the deep sea, certain species routinely lay their eggs in the gill chambers of giant spider
crabs. As they cause no direct harm to the Crustaceans, this relationship is not parasitic,
and may even be mutualistic when the fish eat bits of refuse and parasites off the crab's
body.
further than the abyssal snailfish. Snailfish throughout the sea exhibit strange and seemingly
degenerate behavior, one variety even living its entire life within the body of a scallop, while
in the deep sea, certain species routinely lay their eggs in the gill chambers of giant spider
crabs. As they cause no direct harm to the Crustaceans, this relationship is not parasitic,
and may even be mutualistic when the fish eat bits of refuse and parasites off the crab's
body.
