Fathead, Psychrolutes (aka Mr Blobby)

Image: Fathead, Psychrolutes (aka Mr Blobby)

Description

A Fathead (genus Psychrolutes) trawled during the NORFANZ expedition at a depth between 1013 m and 1340 m, on the Norfolk Ridge, north-west of New Zealand, June 2003 (AMS I.42771-001).

Photographer:: Kerryn Parkinson
Rights:: © NORFANZ founding parties
Common name:: Fathead
Scientific name:: Psychrolutes sp
Family:: Psychrolutidae
Order:: Scorpaeniformes

Additional information

The scientists and crew on board the RV Tangaroa affectionately called this fish 'Mr Blobby'. The fish's body is flabby and not adapted to be out of water! The yellowish 'blob' on the right side of Mr Blobby's mouth is a parasitic copepod.

Mr Blobby is psychrolutid fish (family Psychrolutidae). Fishes in this family are called the fathead sculpins. They are found in marine waters of the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans at depths between 100 m and 2800 m. The common name 'fathead sculpin' refers to the large, globular head and 'floppy' skin that is typical of these fishes. Little is known of their biology. Some have been found with gastropods in the stomach.

The fish now resides in the Australian Museum Ichthyology Collection. It was initially fixed in formaldehyde and is now preserved in 70% ethyl alcohol. The fixation process has 'tightened' Mr Blobby's skin so his 'nose' has shrunk and he no longer retains his 'cute' look.

References:

Nelson, J.S. 1999. Psychrolutidae. Fathead sculpins. Carpenter, K.E & V.H. Niem (ed). pp 2422-2524, 4 figs In The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. Vol. 4.. FAO species identification guide for Fishery purposes. FAO. Pp. 2069-2790.
Nelson, J.S. 2006. Fishes of the World (Edition 4). John Wiley & Sons. Pp. 601.
Paxton, J.R. & W.N. Eschmeyer (Eds). 1994. Encyclopedia of Fishes. Sydney: New South Wales University Press; San Diego: Academic Press [1995]. Pp. 240. (Also editions in French, German, Italian, Polish and Spanish; 2cd ed. 1998).

Last Updated: 12 November 2010

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9 comments

STAFF

Lynda Kelly
11.09 AM, 24 September 2010

Mr Blobby is again famous. Check out the new Museum post for background about his interview on the Center for Future of Museums blog.

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STAFF

Amanda Hay
2.07 PM, 15 July 2010

If you think Mr Blobby is beautiful, you should check out some of his neighbours in the deepsea fishes gallery

http://australianmuseum.net.au/Fishes-by-habitat-deepsea-fishes

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rling
7.06 AM, 24 June 2010

I've known for years this day would come! Welcome to the world of celebrity, Mr Blobby!

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STAFF

Lynda Kelly
1.06 PM, 17 June 2010

Become a fan of Mr Blobby the Blobfish on Facebook!

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STAFF

Mark McGrouther
8.06 AM, 17 June 2010

Hi Lynda and Michael. Yes, it was great to see Mr Blobby adding to his fame on the Gruen Transfer last night. Mind you, he is not from Tasmania or endangered, but that would have stood in the way of a fun story. Either way I enjoyed watching 'The Pitch'.

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STAFF

Lynda Kelly
9.06 PM, 16 June 2010

Check out the pitch here: http://www.abc.net.au/tv/gruentransfer/thepitch.htm

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STAFF

Michael Harvey
9.06 PM, 16 June 2010

Hi Mark, Hi Telio, Mr Blobby got a mention (and a picture) on the Gruen Transfer this evening - love to see his fame spreading into the world of advertising/comedy!

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STAFF

Mark McGrouther
11.07 AM, 06 July 2009

Hi Teilo, Thank you for your comment. You are not alone. I think the whole world loves Mr Blobby! I have added a few more details about the family to the page.