Drop fish: a description of where it lives, what it looks like, what it eats

This fish, if you can call it that, lives at considerable depths of the oceans. The appearance of this creature, since it is simply not possible to call it a fish, is so unusual that such a definition as an object of extraterrestrial origin immediately comes to mind. And although this fish is completely ugly, its appearance is unlikely to leave indifferent those who managed to see this “unearthly” creature.

Fish drop: description

Drop fish is found at a considerable depth in ocean waters and prefers to lead a demersal lifestyle. This creature represents the psycholute family and is one of the most unique creatures that live on our planet. The appearance of the fish is so repulsive that many consider it simply disgusting, while such a definition does not prevent some nationalities from eating it.

Appearance

The shape of the body of this unique creature really resembles a drop, and the structure of the body is fully consistent with the name, since it is distinguished by a “fluid”, gelatinous substance, more like gelatin. If you look at this creature from the side or from behind, then the fish resembles the most ordinary, unremarkable fish of a brownish, and often dull pink, soft color. The fish has a short body that tends to taper towards the tail. The tail part is distinguished by the presence of small outgrowths that resemble spikes, if you look at the creature from afar.

If you look at the drop fish from the front, then here the picture is completely different and the drop fish does not look like a fish at all, but more like an old grumpy person whom someone dared to offend at such an advanced age. Along with the natural feelings that the appearance of a flabby, sad and dissatisfied physiognomy causes in a person, there are feelings of respect for nature, which was able to create such a unique and inimitable creature with an unforgettable appearance. In addition, there are also such thoughts that it is still unknown what unique creatures live on the bottom of the oceans.

Interesting fact! These fish do not have a swim bladder, because at the depth at which the drop fish lives, it does not need it, since it would be crushed by enormous pressure. It’s amazing how such enormous pressure cannot flatten this unexplored creature.

Drop fish, like most deep-sea fish, has a large massive head, just a huge mouth, fleshy lips. All this “array” goes into a short torso. This “array” is complemented by still small dark eyes that are deeply planted. In addition, a large, slightly flattened outgrowth, resembling a human nose, “flaunts” on her physiognomy. Because of this particular appearance structure, the fish is also called the “sad fish”.

This representative of the ocean depths grows up to a maximum of half a meter, while having a weight of no more than 12 kilograms, so it does not reach the ocean monsters. The main color of the fish is brownish, and sometimes pinkish, while the colors are not bright, which helps the fish to disguise itself, being at the very bottom. This allows the fish to survive in such difficult conditions.

On the body of a drop fish there are no scales familiar to fish. In addition, the fish is completely devoid of muscles, although there are still fins, otherwise how would the fish be able to move in the water column. Its consistency is such that it is more like a serving of jelly, which rests on a plate. A jelly-like substance is produced by a special organ. The fact that the fish lacks scales and muscles can be attributed to the advantages of a unique creature. The fact is that moving at such a depth requires the expenditure of strength and energy. Therefore, the fish is always in ambush and waiting for something edible to swim into its huge mouth.

Behavior and lifestyle

The blobfish is considered a mysterious and secretive creature, as it lives at depths that scuba divers cannot dive to. It was first described in 1926 when this fish was caught in the nets of Australian fishermen. It will soon be 100 years since the world learned about this fish, but it has been studied very little.

Interesting to know! To date, it has been established that the drop fish prefers to stay motionless in the water column, moving mainly due to ocean currents. Being in this position, the fish opens its mouth wide and waits for something edible to fall into its mouth.

It is believed that adults lead an isolated lifestyle, and look for mates only when it’s time to breed. It is also believed that the drop fish prefers to always be within its territory. At the same time, fish rarely rise to a depth of 600 meters or less. But if the fish gets caught in the nets of fishermen, then it will simply have to leave its natural “habitable” place. As a rule, the fish will never be able to return to the depths of the ocean.

Due to the fact that the blobfish has such a unique, “alien” appearance, she has already managed to attract the attention of the media as well as filmmakers, as she was lucky to star in science fiction films such as “Men in Black 3 and The X-Files.

How many drop fish live

The life expectancy of these amazing creatures is about 5-14 years. Moreover, these terms are influenced by some factors, including luck, as well as conditions of existence that cannot be called easy. They are accidentally caught in the nets of fishermen who are catching deep-sea fish, crabs or lobsters, which also affects their lifespan. It is believed that the average terms of life expectancy are at around 8,5 years.

Habitat

The natural habitats of the drop fish are associated with the depths of the Indian, Pacific and Atlantic oceans. Most often, this fish is found off the coast of Tasmania and Australia. As a rule, the fish lives deeper than 600 meters. At the depths where this fish lives, the water pressure is 80 times greater than the pressure at the surface.

What feeds on

The main source of food for drop fish is plankton, as well as the smallest invertebrates. If suddenly, something larger than small invertebrates swims into its huge mouth, then the fish will definitely swallow it. It is believed that she feeds on any food items that can fit in her mouth.

Reproduction and offspring

Many questions related to the process of reproduction and the appearance of offspring have not yet been answered. Therefore, it is not known how the fish prepares for the breeding process and how it reproduces, as well as how the offspring appears. Most likely, her life activity is also unique.

An important point! Thanks to the efforts of modern scientists, they still managed to solve some of the mysteries associated with the reproduction of drop fish.

It is known that the blob fish lays its eggs on the bottom of the ocean, at the depths where it lives. After that, the fish covers the eggs with itself, as if hatching them, like a chicken. Most likely, the female thus protects them from possible enemies. She sits on her nest (on the eggs) until the offspring appears. After they are born, the female takes care of them for a long time.

The role of the female is to help the fry to master such difficult living conditions. After birth, the female looks for a secluded place in deep water, where she stays with her offspring for the first time, away from trouble. Until the growing offspring become completely independent, the mother continues to patronize them. The grown juveniles, completely independent, spread in different directions, after which they are unlikely to meet.

Natural enemies

At depths of more than half a thousand meters, it is difficult to find the natural enemies of this fish. Maybe there are such, modern science knows nothing about it. It is possible that there are predators at these depths, such as large squids or some types of anglerfish. In fact, there are no facts confirming such assumptions. According to scientists, there are no natural enemies, except for humans, in drop fish.

Population and species status

Experts believe that the number of these amazing fish is constantly decreasing, despite the absence of natural enemies. This happens for a number of reasons:

• The expansion of the technical capabilities of the fishery, so the drop fish is increasingly getting into the nets of anglers, along with crabs and lobsters.
• Constant pollution of the ocean floor with various wastes.
• In some Asian countries, the meat of the drop fish is considered a delicacy, which also has a negative impact on the population of this unique and amazing fish.

The problem lies in the fact that the number of drop fish increases very slowly. In order for the number to increase by 2 times, it takes at least 5 years, and then, provided that this process is not interfered with by any factors that can reduce the population.

It is important to know! Today, although slowly, the number of this fish is constantly decreasing due to the fact that the fish constantly gets into fishing nets, although it is forbidden to catch this fish. Despite the ban, it is still caught, because in some Asian countries it is considered a delicacy and is called the king – fish.

It is not known what the drop can save, except perhaps her fame in the media. Even though the fish is little studied, it has already become popular, starring in several films. Increasingly, voices are beginning to be heard to protect this amazing fish, otherwise it may simply disappear, although a similar fate awaits many species of flora and fauna.

And although the drop fish does not have an entirely attractive appearance, this is a truly amazing creature that lives on our Planet in the depths of the oceans. Unfortunately, it is rather difficult for science to fully study this species, since the fish lives at a considerable depth, where a person cannot descend without special equipment. It is possible that a little more time will pass and all the mysteries of this inhabitant of the depths will be solved.

In conclusion

If we analyze the trends that are characteristic of the efforts that a person makes to the problem of restoring the number of many species of flora and fauna, then the drop fish is unlikely to wait until they take care of it and cherish it so that it reproduces without problems and inhabited the world’s oceans. Most likely, today this problem is aggravated and this is due to the fact that the population of our planet is constantly increasing. Of course, people need something to eat, and they are catching everything that is edible in the world’s oceans at a fast pace. Apparently, it came to this amazing fish with a human sad face. It is not difficult to guess why she has a sad face. This face seems to be saying: “People, come to your senses! What are you doing?”. As for the people inhabiting the Asian continent, they eat everything that moves, so it is not surprising that the drop fish is a delicacy for them. Thank God that Europeans are more selective in their food, otherwise we would not have seen grasshoppers, bugs, or worms for a long time, and we don’t even want to talk about fish.

On the other hand, how do scientists know that the number of this fish is decreasing. It is possible that everything is just the opposite, since they know little about this fish.