| Mr Blobby | |
| Species: | Psychrolutes microporos |
| Known For: | Subject of meme |
| Awards: | World's Ugliest Animal |
| Death Cause: | Decompression |
Mr Blobby is a specimen of Psychrolutes microporos, known for being the subject of an image macro meme reading "Go home evolution, you're drunk".[1] [2] [3]
Mr Blobby was collected from the Norfolk Ridge during the NORFANZ Expedition in June 2003. Caught at a depth between 1013 and 1340 metres by the RV Tangaroa, it is 285mm long and had a parasitic copepod at the side of its mouth.
Although in its normal habitat P. microporos has a sleeker look due to pressure, once brought to the surface Mr Blobby swelled, with a softer appearance. It was photographed in this state by Kerryn Parkinson, Australian Museum ichthyologist. After taking a more standard scientific image of the specimen, Parkinson decided it was "comical, charismatic and grumpy", photographing it from the front as well.[4]
In 2010, the photograph was featured in the Australian television show The Gruen Transfer, where advertising agencies were asked to design campaigns to 'save the blobfish'.
Mr Blobby's profile was raised again when it won the title of ugliest animal in the world in 2013, a competition run by the Ugly Animal Preservation Society with the goal of drawing attention to less charismatic species.[5]
My Blobby appeared in the 2018 book You're Called What? by Kes Gray[6] [7]
Though not a taxonomically significant specimen of Psychrolutes microporos, Mr Blobby has been described as indicative of our limited knowledge of ocean fauna.[8]
Mr Blobby is stored at the Australian Museum' Ichthyology Collection in 70% ethyl alcohol. This process has shrunk the specimen, and it now appears closer to its undersea form.