Types
While there most people think that the term "blobfish" refers to one type of fish, in reality it is an entire family of fish, scientifically known as the "Psychrolutidae." This includes over 35 recognized species of bottom dwelling fish. They all share many of the same general characteristics, such as large heads and bodies that taper back into small tails. They all have loosely attached skin that is movable as their underlying body is mostly gelatinous. Their eyes are placed high on the head, and each fish of this family also all have large leaf-like fins and scales (with the exception of certain species that are covered in soft spines). This family is divided into four main types: the Psychrolutes microporos, the Psychrolutes marcidus, the Psychrolutes occidentalis, and finally, the Psychrolutes phrictus.
Psychrolutes Microporos
The most well known of the three types, this species is found in the abyssal zone in waters around Australia and New Zealand. The most well known photos of blobfish are often ones of this type. First discovered in 1983, they have only ever been collected from depths beneath 3,900ft. Their average weight is about 4lbs.
Psychrolutes Marcidus
This species, often referred to as the smooth-head blobfish, is found off the coast of Australia and Tasmania. Most occurences in which people have found these types of blobfish have occured when scientists have been using bottom trawling nets. They are typically shorter than 12 inches in length.
Psychrolutes Occidentalis
This species of blobfish, commonly known as the western Australian sculpin or western blobfish, has only been found in the eastern Indian Ocean and around the Rowley Shoals off of northwestern Australia and Tasmania. Finding them in these locations was very shocking to many scientists as fish in the blobfish family are not usually found in tropical waters. The largest of these blobfish has been found to be 4.3 inches in length.
Psychrolutes Phrictus
This species of blobfish is most often referred to as the blob sculpin. This species resides in the North Pacific Ocean by the coast of Japan, the Bering Sea, and California. This is the only species we know any behavior details about, as the male fish have been found guarding nests when the females lay eggs. Additionally, this species is most likely the largest blobfish species with the largest specimen being found at just over 28 inches long.