Taxonomy
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: chordata
Class: actinopeterygii
Family: Psychrolutidae
Order: Scorpaeniformes
Genus: Spinless Sculpins
Species: psychrodolic fish
Evolution
All Subspecies: Psychrolutes marcidus, Psychrolutes phrictus, Psychrolutes microporos, Psychrolutes occidentalis
How long has this species been in existence: unknown, first discoverd in the early 1900's
Closest living relative to this species: blob sculpin and Western Austrialian sculpin
3 ancestors of this species: fish that had air sacs that had to compete with many others for food
Description
Physical description of the animal (with at least 3 pictures)
Point key characteristics of species: looks completely different out of water. out of water they have loose skin, big nose and bigger.
Size: up to 27 inches
Weight: up to 21 Lbs
Life Span: up to 100 years
Differences between Males and Females: females are larger
Habitat
rainfall: In the ocean
plants: algee, seaweed
animals: coral, goblin shark, giant squid, and angler fish
temperature: just above freezing (1-5 degree Celsius)
Terrain: ocean floor
Distinction: looks unreal outside of their natural habitat
continents found: in the ocean
invasive at all: no
what exactly does it eat: invertebrates as well as carrion that falls to the seafloor as well as sea pens, crabs, mollusks, and sea urchins
how often does it eat: one to two times per week
how does it get its food: by scanning the ocean floor
any special foods: sea urchins
social Structure
live in packs or solo: solo
roles with community: they interact with other animals at the ocean floor
Male or Female led groups: no groups
individuals that make up groups: none
how do they interact with each other: eat each others eggs
reproduction
how often do they mate: every 4 days (in captivity)
how many mates do they have: unknown
time of year for mating: unknown
Number of offspring produced at a time: hundreds of eggs
any unique characteristics of mating: not much is known about their mating
Development
stages of development: start as an egg, then develop into a smaller blobfish with a greenish texture, then they turn grey or tan to blend into the ocean floor.
how old before sexual maturity: 2-3 years
difference between males and females: the females are larger than males
Causes of death
predation: humans
sexual competition: bigger blob fish
disease: decompresses outside of water
other causes: none
Competition
Inter-species- within the species: angler fish
inter-species-with other species: goblin shark
what do they compete over: food
affect of all invasive species: none
IUCN Rating
whats the rating: least concern
population: unknown
population trend: unknown
Impact on humans
what impacts have occurred: not much, just a food for humans. stuffed animals have been made becuse of their unique features
potential future impacts: none
how long have humans been interacting with species: for about 60 years
efforts being made to minimize impacts: none because the impacts are not significant