New Zealand’s Blobfish Wins 2025 Fish of the Year Title
New Zealand’s Blobfish has been crowned the *Fish of the Year* for 2025, securing the top spot in a contest where public votes were cast. This peculiar species, once dubbed the “world’s ugliest animal,” triumphed in the competition organized by the Mountain to Sea Conservation Trust.
The Blobfish gained nearly 300 more votes than its competitors, thanks to its unique appearance after emerging from deep-sea pressures. The competition, aimed at raising awareness and promoting the conservation of New Zealand’s native aquatic life, saw a substantial increase in voter participation, with 5,583 votes cast this year compared to just 1,021 in 2024.
The campaign to highlight the Blobfish was led by Sarah and Philni, hosts of the *More FM Drive* show, who brought attention to the fish’s resilience and its transformation from being ridiculed to winning the title. The organizers commented that while many fish participated, the Blobfish remained patiently at the ocean’s depths, ultimately winning the race.
Notably, in 2013, the Blobfish was controversially named the world’s ugliest animal by the Ugly Animal Preservation Society in the UK. Despite this, the fish’s unlikely victory in the 2025 Fish of the Year competition marks a shift in its public image.
New Zealand’s top 10 fish for 2025 included Longfin Eel, Tuna, Whale Shark, Large-Bellied Seahorse, Great White Shark, Lamprey, and Pihara, showcasing the country’s diverse marine life.
