By South China Morning Post | Created at 2025-03-20 10:56:43 | Updated at 2025-03-20 23:38:36
12 hours ago
The blobfish may not win any beauty contests, but it has taken the crown as New Zealand’s fish of the year.
How the tide has turned for what was declared the world’s ugliest animal in 2013.
The competition, organised by Mountains to Sea Conservation Trust to raise awareness about New Zealand’s marine life and fragile ecosystem, received 5,583 votes.
In the results announced on Sunday, the blobfish emerged victorious, receiving nearly 1,300 votes and defeating its closest competitor, the orange roughy, by nearly 300 votes.
“Renowned for its unfortunate frown and decidedly squishy disposition when pulled from the depths, Kiwis have shown they truly believe that blob is beautiful,” the trust said, according to Otago Daily Times.
Mountains to Sea Conservation Trust co-director Kim Jones told the newspaper it was “a battle of the deep sea forget-me-nots. A battle of two quirky deep sea critters, with the blobfish’s unconventional beauty helping get voters over the line.”
The blobfish, known for its gelatinous appearance, can grow up to 30cm (12 inches) in length. It lives on the seabed off the coasts of New Zealand and Australia and has a lifespan of up to 130 years, growing and moving slowly.
