Chapter 1
The secret life of a deep-sea resident
Chapter 2
The science of the melting fish
Chapter 3
The crown of the world's ugliest animal
YOUR GOAL
Master of The secret life of the misunderstood blobfish
Ch 2 · The science of the melting fish
artiteacher Blobfish Decompression
Deep in the Tasman Sea I hold my shape so tight, But up on the deck I collapse into a melty sight.
artiteacher Scientists classified the blobfish in 1926, but a 2003 New Zealand expedition's photo of a decompressed specimen triggered
artiteacher A close-up portrait of a blobfish showcasing its soft, gelatinous pink skin.
Fun Fact
Blobfish bones: To survive crushing deep-sea pressure, the blobfish has soft, pliable bones rather than the hard, rigid bones of shallow-water fish.
Glossary
decompression (noun)
A reduction in environmental pressure acting on an organism. In 2013, a specimen deformed by this rapid process was voted the world's ugliest animal.
A reduction in environmental pressure acting on an organism. In 2013, a specimen deformed by this rapid process was voted the world's ugliest animal.
Quiz
Where was the famous 2003 research expedition that photographed the blobfish located?
Quiz
What type of muscle allows the blobfish to make short, quick bursts of movement?
Quiz
What is the main side effect of pulling a deep-sea creature rapidly to sea level?