Blobfish have become internet sensations in recent years due to their unique, gelatinous appearance. Their blob-like bodies and permanently frowny faces have captivated people worldwide. This has led many to wonder – can you actually keep a blobfish as a pet?
In short, no you cannot have a blobfish as a pet. Blobfish are deep sea creatures that live under extreme pressure at depths of up to 4,000 feet. They have adapted to these intense conditions in ways that make them unable to survive in normal aquariums or tanks.
Why Can’t Blobfish Survive in Captivity?
There are several key reasons why blobfish do not make suitable pets for home aquariums:
They Require High Pressure
In their natural deep sea habitat, blobfish live under pressures up to 120 times higher than at sea level. Their bodies are composed mostly of gelatinous flesh with very little muscle or skeletal structure. Under intense pressure, their density matches the water around them allowing them to float effortlessly. However, under normal atmospheric pressure, their bodies become compressed and misshapen. They appear melted or deflated without the high pressure environment they require.
Specialized Diet
Blobfish eat by passively opening their mouths and sucking in food floating by. Their diet primarily consists of crustaceans like crabs and lobsters. Replicating this specific diet would be challenging in captivity. Blobfish do not actively hunt for food so they would likely starve in an aquarium unless fed a constant stream of tiny sea creatures.
Fragile Nature
Due to their minimal bone structure, blobfish are extremely fragile creatures. They do not fare well outside of their natural habitat. Most blobfish captured in fishing nets die shortly after being brought to the surface. Their delicate bodies simply cannot withstand the rapid depressurization and dramatic shifts in temperature, oxygen levels, pH, and other factors.
Where Do Blobfish Live in the Wild?
Blobfish are found exclusively in the deep waters off the coasts of mainland Australia and Tasmania. They populate the underwater slopes of the continental shelf at depths ranging from 2,000 to 4,000 feet.
Within their deep sea realm, blobfish primarily hover above the seafloor rather than actively swimming around. They float just above the substrate, waiting for edible matter to drift by their mouths. Their neutral buoyancy allows them to match the density of the water without exerting much energy.
Unique Adaptations
Living at such extreme ocean depths requires special adaptations. Some of the key features that allow blobfish to thrive in the deep include:
- Minimal skeleton – Their gelatinous flesh is less dense than bones, allowing them to float above the seafloor.
- Multiple oil-filled sacs – These sacs adjust the fish’s buoyancy at different water pressures.
- Huge mouth – Their large mouth allows them to easily consume food particles drifting by.
- Rogein – Thick layers of this waxy substance coat their skin to prevent water loss.
Together, these adaptations allow blobfish to effortlessly drift along, expending minimal energy as they vacuum up edible matter from the ocean currents.
Blobfish in Popular Culture
Despite their reclusive nature in poorly explored ocean depths, blobfish have become hugely popular in recent years. Some key ways blobfish have made cultural waves include:
Internet Sensation
Blobfish first went viral online after being featured in a 2013 episode of the Science Channel’s show “Animals with Cameras.” Their human-like expressions and gelatinous appearance quickly captivated viewers. Blobfish popularity exploded across social media with millions of shares and memes.
Ugly Animal Preservation Society
In 2013, the Ugly Animal Preservation Society ran a campaign to name the “World’s Ugliest Animal.” Blobfish won in a landslide, gaining endorsements from comedian Paul Foot and actor Stephen Fry. While their title may seem unflattering, the campaign helped raise awareness about rare and threatened species.
Blobfish Plush Toys
Capitalizing on their internet fame, blobfish plush toys have become popular items. Various manufacturers create blobfish stuffed animals or pillows designed to match their cartoonish appearance. These plush blobfish are far cuter than the real deal!
Logan Paul Blobfish NFT
In 2021, controversial YouTuber Logan Paul released a collection of blobfish NFTs (non-fungible tokens). The meme-inspired digital art pieces sold for thousands of dollars each. This demonstrated how the blobfish phenomenon has permeated internet and pop culture.
Anthropogenic Threats to Blobfish
Due to their extreme habitat, blobfish remained largely protected from human activity for many years. However, recent advances in deep sea trawling have put these unique creatures under threat. Some ways commercial fishing impacts blobfish include:
- Bycatch – Blobfish are often caught unintentionally in deep sea trawl nets targeting other species.
- Rapid decompression – Being rapidly dragged to the surface can kill blobfish due to pressure changes, similar to getting “the bends.”
- Overfishing of prey species – Depletion of crabs, lobsters, and other natural blobfish prey can lead to starvation.
- Habitat destruction – Deep sea trawling rakes the seafloor, demolishing the rocky substrate blobfish live above.
In response to these threats, there have been calls to ban trawling below depths of 2,600 feet where blobfish reside. However, commercial fishing interests have resisted. More research is needed to understand deep sea populations and implement sustainable practices before it’s too late.
Conclusion
Blobfish have secured a place in pop culture with their endearingly mushy appearance. However, most fans will only ever see these creatures in videos or as plush toys. Due to their specialized adaptations, blobfish cannot survive outside of high pressure, deep sea environments.
While their fragility and reclusive nature prevents blobfish from becoming pets, it has also spared them human harm for many years. However, recent expansion of deep sea fisheries now puts blobfish and other species at risk. Greater protections for deep sea ecosystems will be crucial to preserve unique creatures like the blobfish for future generations.
| Blobfish Fact | Description |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Psychrolutes marcidus |
| Average Size | 12 inches long |
| Habitat Depth | 2,000 – 4,000 feet |
| Diet | Crabs, lobsters, other crustaceans |
| Unique Adaptations | Minimal skeleton, oil sacs, huge mouth |
| Conservation Status | Data Deficient |
