The Ugliest Fish... Praised as 'Fish of the Year' Here

Deep-sea Blobfish... Pig-like Nose and Jelly-like Body
Once Named the "Ugliest Animal" in 2013

The deep-sea fish 'Blobfish', once considered the ugliest animal in the world, has been named 'Fish of the Year' in New Zealand.

The 'Blobfish' was selected as the 'Fish of the Year' in New Zealand. Mountain to Sea Conservation Trust website

According to CNN on the 18th (local time), the 'Mountains to Sea Conservation Trust', a New Zealand charity that educates about marine and freshwater conservation, held a Fish of the Year vote in which the Blobfish edged out the Orange roughy by about 300 votes to claim the title. A total of 5,583 New Zealanders participated in the vote.

The deep-sea Blobfish has a pig-like face and a sticky, jelly-like body. According to the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, adult Blobfish measure about 30 cm in length and are mainly found off the southeastern coast of Australia and Tasmania. These creatures typically inhabit waters at depths of 600 to 1,200 meters. First discovered in 2003, the Blobfish is endangered due to indiscriminate trawling by Australian fishermen targeting lobsters.

Due to its unique appearance, the Blobfish was also named the ugliest animal of the year in 2013 by the UK's quirky organization, The Ugly Animal Preservation Society.

The Orange roughy, which came in second place, is also a deep-sea species. The Orange roughy, characterized by its deep orange color, large eyes, and drooping mouth, is mainly found in New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, inhabiting deep waters at depths of 180 to 1,800 meters.

The organization stated, "Of the 10 Fish of the Year candidates, nine species including the Blobfish are considered vulnerable by conservation groups," adding, "Both the Blobfish and Orange roughy inhabit deep-sea environments near New Zealand, and the Blobfish is often caught during trawl fishing targeting Orange roughy."

They continued, "The exact conservation status of the Blobfish is unknown, but the Orange roughy population is struggling. Careful management of the Orange roughy's habitat will also benefit the Blobfish."