Saturday, February 28, 2009

Ooooogly Galapagos Batfish


The Galapagos Batfish or "red-lipped batfish" (Ogcocephalus darwini) is a bizarre looking fish found on the the Galapagos Islands. Red-lipped batfish are closely related to rosy-lipped batfish (Ogcocephalus porrectus), which are found near Cocos Island off the coast of Costa Rica. Both fish species look and behave very similarly to one another.

When the batfish reaches adulthood, its dorsal fin becomes a single spine-like projection that lures prey.

Fast Facts
Diet: Carnivore; feeding on small invertebrates
Size: Approximately 20.3 cm
Location: Southeast Pacific, Galapagos Islands south to Peru.
Did you know? Batfish are not good swimmers; they use their pectoral fins to "walk" on the ocean floor.


Friday, February 27, 2009

The Blob Sculpin Got Beat with the Ugly Stick!


The blob fish or Blob Sculpin (Psychrolutes marcidus) is a fish which has made its dwelling in the deep waters off the coasts of Tasmania and Australia. It is a rare sight to watch for humans. This is because of the inaccessibility of its habitat. You will find blob fish mostly deep inside the sea where the pressure is several dozens higher than at sea level. It makes gas bladders ineffective. The flesh of the blob fish is mainly a gelatinous mass, but the density is slightly less than water which makes way for the blob fish to float or hover above the sea floor with no energy wasted for swimming.

Fast Facts
Diet: Primarily swallows edible matter that floats by in front of it, such as crabs, mollusks, and sea pens.
Size: Approximately 2.3 ft.
Weight: Approximately 20 lbs.
Did you know? The Blob Sculpin is often caught by bottom trawling with nets.


Tuesday, February 24, 2009

The Wolf Eel is One Ugly Fish!


This ugly mug belongs to the Wolf-eel. Although you couldn't tell by looking at it, these creatures are actually quite friendly. They can often be spotted peering out of the many crevices and holes in popular local dive sites along the Pacific Northwest shore. When lured out of there dens in search of their favorite food (Sea Urchins), this freaky looking fish is a sight to behold, growing to a maximum length of 8’. While not a true eel (eels have no pectoral fins), wolfies are actually a fish with an elongated body and are referred to by scientists as a “wolf-fish”.

Fast Facts
Type: Fish
Diet: Carnivore; diet consists of crustaceans, sea urchins, mussels, and clams
Size: Up to 8 feet, 6.5 feet on average
Weight: Up to 42 lbs. on average
Did you know? Contrary to their fearsome appearances, wolf-eels are not aggressive, but very shy and docile towards humans, and harmless unless provoked.



I know it's docile and all, but if I ever saw this thing coming towards me, I'd be screaming for my life! That is one ugly fish!

Monday, February 23, 2009

Favorite Ugly Fish: Angler Fish

Favorite ugly fish - the Angler fish
Not sure why I love ugly fish, they just make me laugh. Ugly is not to be mistaken with gross or disgusting, both of which are unacceptable in a good ugly fish pic.

Here's some info on the angler so I can pretend that this is an informative blog and not just for entertainment (although it's really all about my own entertainment, always)

Fast Facts
Type: Fish
Diet: Carnivore
Size: 8 in (20 cm) up to 3.3 ft (1 m)
Weight: Up to 110 lbs (50 kg)
Group name: School
Did you know? The anglerfish's lighted lure glows with the help of millions of bioluminescent bacteria.