1999-2010

Monday, January 25, 2010

Save the blobfish


Meet the blobfish.

The blobfish inhabits the deep waters off the coasts of the Australian mainland and Tasmania. Scientists warn that over-fishing by trawlers is threatening to make it extinct. The bloated bottom dweller, which can grow up to 12 inches, lives at depths of up to 800m, and 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 can be caught by bottom trawling with nets.)

3 comments:

Kings Farmer said...

Funny. I've worked for some TV Execs who could be described exactly like that.

"Blobsish" I love it. It works, even if this is a joke.

Kirsty Girl said...

Hahaha I'm watching advertising for save the blobfish on the gruen transfer right now! Poor blob fish!

Anonymous said...

how did they get that specimen?, It is great that they are trying to save their habitat. Even companies that they sell Viagra Online without prescription they are involved with it.