H.Story #3

This clip shows what is probably a Smooth-head Blobfish, Psychrolutes marcidus, at a depth of 550 m, 40 km north-west of North West Cape, Western Australia.

The footage was shot in March 2005. It was taken by a Subsea 7 ROV working from the Transocean Jack Bates drilling rig. More information and larger versions of this movie can be found on the SERPENT website.

The Smooth-head Blobfish has also been called the Australian Sculpin, Blobfish and Toadfish. It can be recognised by its large head and pectoral rays. Its uniform grey colouration is also distinctive. It is not possible to identify the fish with absolute certainty without examining a specimen.

Three species of blobfishes (Family Psychrolutidae) are currently known from Australian waters along with at least one undescribed species. They are all benthic fishes that live in continental shelf and slope waters.

Thank you to Dr J. Nelson for his help identifying the fish.

Further reading

1. Nelson, J.S. Psychrolutidae. in Carpenter, K.E. & V.H. Niem. 1999. The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. Volume 4. Bony fishes part 2 (Mugilidae to Carangidae). FAO. Rome Pp. iii-v, 2069-2790.