Once dubbed “World’s Ugliest,” Blobfish wins NZ’s Fish of the Year

The blobfish, once ridiculed for its lumpy, gelatinous appearance, has made a remarkable comeback by winning New Zealand’s Fish of the Year contest, organised by the Mountain to Sea Conservation Trust.

With nearly 1,300 votes out of over 5,500 cast, the deep-sea dweller triumphed over the orange roughy in what was described as a “battle of the deep sea forget-me-nots.”

The victory was boosted by a passionate campaign from local radio hosts, who championed the blobfish’s unconventional charm.

Though often mocked for its appearance when brought to the surface, the blobfish maintains a more typical fish-like form in its deep-sea habitat.