Ugly fish – Learn more with Healthier Pets Today! There are plenty of fish in the sea. In fact, between fresh and saltwater sources, there are over 30,000 different species of fish!
This means that there are endless possibilities for colors, shapes, and sizes, which also means that certain fish species may sometimes be less appealing to the eye than others.
Every fish, even ugly fish, is unique and special in its own way, and that’s enough for it to be appreciated.
However, that doesn’t mean there aren’t some ugly fish you’d rather not see daily. In fact, there are some downright ugly and rather unsightly fish on the planet.
This piece shines a light with love on these ugly fish that is often forgotten and can be less researched and protected.
Table of Contents
1. Blobfish
A lot of people consider the Blobfish to be the ugliest fish in the world. However, much of this reputation is derived from their appearance above water. Blobfish are deep sea fish used to living close to the bottom of the ocean.
Because of this, their bodies aren’t designed to withstand being above water, which gives them a rather unappealing appearance. However, under the water, blobfish appear like any other fish.
So, even though they’re still considered one of the top ten ugliest fish, it’s essential to be gentle on the blobfish’s appearance. They weren’t meant to be brought to the surface, after all!
2. Frilled Shark
At first glance, the Frilled Shark doesn’t appear to be a living creature. This shark looks more like a mummy than a living shark!
The Frilled Shark is also known as the “living fossil.” This is because it is a species of shark that has been around for at least 80 million years.
This ugly fish isn’t just known for its old lineage, however. It’s also known because of its distinct appearance.
The Frilled shark has a long, slender body. Some people say it looks like an eel. It has a flattened head and a mouth full of needle-sharp teeth! It gets its name from its gill slits, which look like frills.
These sharks are rarely seen by humans. Typically, they spend most of their time in the depths of the ocean.
3. Illuminated NetDevil
They are a species of anglerfish, also known as the “tree fish.”
This is because their body has a unique branching pattern. These are designed to help the illuminated Netdevil blend into its environment.
Females grow to around 3 inches in length, while males are significantly smaller at approximately 0.6 inches.
Another deep-sea species, we still need to learn a lot about this misunderstood fish!
4. Monkfish
The Monkfish is also known as the “Goosefish.”
It is native to the Atlantic Ocean, living from as far north as Canada and south as the Gulf of Mexico. It can also be found in the eastern Pacific Ocean.
Monkfish are bottom-dwelling fish. This means they live on the ocean floor, typically at depths ranging from 30 to 150 meters (100 to 500 feet).
They are valued for their meat and regularly eaten by humans worldwide, which has led to overfishing in many areas.
5. Goblin Shark
The Goblin shark is another species of fish known as a living fossil. They have long, flat snouts and extended jaws, giving them an unusual but exciting appearance.
These jaws are for more than looks. However, they help the Goblin shark to catch their prey.
Goblin sharks have wrinkled, translucent skin; through this, their blood gives them a murky, pink, or purplish-gray tinge.
6. Atlantic Wolffish
The Atlantic Wolffish is also known as the seawolf. It is only found in the deep, cold waters of the northern Atlantic Ocean. It can grow to be up to 1.5 meters long.
They have a set of cone-shaped, fang-like teeth on both their top and bottom jaws. These protruding teeth make them look like a wolf or other fearsome predator.
It is also considered a species of concern, with conservation efforts in place to help keep the ocean populated with this fish.
7. Sloane’s Viperfish
Sloane’s Viperfish is also known as the Viperfish.
Unlike other fish that typically only thrive in one ocean, this ugly fish can be found in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans.
It has enormous teeth, and when its jaw is closed, they fit together to form a perfect ‘cage’ in which to trap prey.
Sloane’s Viperfish can also unhinge their jaw, allowing it to open 90 degrees and catch prey over half their body size.
8. Hagfish
Hagfish are primitive animals found in the deep parts of the ocean. This is because they are bottom-dwelling fish found at depths up to 1,500 meters.
They have a mouth like something from an alien movie made for mincing up dead bodies. These ugly fish eat dead animals or animals close to death.
With their sharp teeth, they burrow into a carcass in order to eat it from the inside out! They even have the ability to produce slime when threatened.
9. Whitemargin Stargazer
The Whitemargin Stargazer is one of this list’s ugliest and most unique fish. It has eyes positioned on the top of its head, which gives it an unusual appearance.
However, it’s a beneficial adaptation that allows it to bury most of its body into the sand and await prey.
This species is found in the Indo-Pacific region. They’re most common in the coastal waters of the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, and the Persian Gulf.
They’re one of the top ambush predators of the sea. They’ll bury themselves in the sand on the ocean floor and wait for unsuspecting prey, which they then “vacuum” up.
They can discharge up to 50 volts to shock prey or a predator!
10. Red-Lipped Batfish
It has a round, flat body with a broad head. Its name is for its bright red lips. Although these ugly fish look like they’re wearing lipstick for fun, their lips actually help them attract prey and mates.
The Red-Lipped Batfish is typically found at depths ranging from 3 to nearly 80 meters.
While the Red-Lipped Batfish is undoubtedly adapted to living at impressive depths, its swimming abilities may be weaker than some other species.
In fact, it has been observed that they tend to swim less frequently than other oceanic creatures.
Instead, the red-lipped batfish demonstrates a strange behavior by “walking” along the ocean floor.
Here are The World’s 10 Top Rated “Ugly Fish”…
In 2013, the ‘Ugly Animal Preservation Society’ held an online vote to determine the ugliest animal on the planet.
That said, the study raised awareness for endangered ugly fish that require more help because of their less than ‘pin-up’ appearance.
Even though one million species are currently at risk of extinction, it is unfortunate that some less visually appealing species tend to receive less attention and care than their more aesthetically pleasing counterparts.
