Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Weird Animals: The Blobfish

From Wonders

Gotta love this guy. It's too weird for words. Here's what Wikipedia has to say about it (while Wikipedia often can't be considered reliable, it's useful for obscure topics with which the only person who would write about it would be an expert):

The blobfish (Psychrolutes marcidus) is a fish that inhabits the deep waters off the coasts of Australia and Tasmania. Due to the inaccessibility of its habitat, it is rarely seen by humans.
Blobfish are found at depths where the pressure is several dozens of times higher than at sea level, which would likely make gas bladders inefficient. To remain buoyant, the flesh of the blobfish is primarily a gelatinous mass with a density slightly less than water; this allows the fish to float above the sea floor without expending energy on swimming. The relative lack of muscle is not a disadvantage as it primarily swallows edible matter that floats by in front of it. It is often caught by bottom trawling with nets.

Right now, I am in Eilat on a television shoot. More about that when I return and can upload photos and video!

5 comments:

Rafi G. said...

disgusting but really cool. I'd like one of those for a fish tank in my living room!

Dina said...

Shalom Zoo Rabbi and welcome to Israel. We love your blog!

Anonymous said...

incredible!

fred Emond said...

If you're seeking for MANY weirds animals, here's the place!

Spectacular-Planet

It's amazing!

Natan Slifkin said...

Thanks Fred!!!