If you’ve by no means had a superb fishing nightmare, you’re lacking out. Some are simple to conjure, like Jaws tailing his approach into the flats when you’re wade fishing, or a swarm of piranhas tearing aside your buddy, who someway slipped off the boat. Other fishing nightmares aren’t impressed by the violence a fish may commit, however extra merely how the fish appears. These ugly fish—the ugliest fish on the earth—are freaky sufficient to generate loads of dangerous desires.
Anglers and sailors have been telling tales about sea creatures for hundreds of years. Those previous tales undoubtedly affect the dangerous sci-fi fish films we see at the moment. But moderately than get caught up within the fishing horror film style, it’s most likely extra attention-grabbing to take a look at the place these tales of monstrous leviathans got here from. I’m betting a lot of them have been impressed by a few of the loopy wanting fish on this record.
The world’s ugliest fish aren’t science fiction. They’re present in shallow waters round North America, within the tropical waters of the South Pacific, and in a few of the deepest waters explored by man. So with out additional ado, right here’s a have a look at a few of the ugliest, gnarliest, freakiest fish to swim the seven seas (and inland waters too).
Blobfish
Ah, the blobfish. If we have been rating these poor, plain piscatorial nominees, which we’re not, the blobfish can be the winner. Right? I imply, ios that even a fish? Yes, it’s. The blobfish is present in deep waters (a recurring theme amongst these ugly species) down to three,900 toes close to New Zealand and Australia. At that depth, an air bladder can be ineffective so the blobfish doesn’t have one. Its flabby, gelatinous physique permits it to droop simply off the ocean flooring and float round. It eats no matter floats in entrance of it. Photos make it seem like a bowl of bread dough left on the counter, however that’s as a result of it’s sometimes photographed out of the water. Researchers say within the water it really appears extra fish-like because it floats round.
Bowfin
Known as a mudfish, grinnel, dogfish and different unprintable names, the freshwater bowfin is likely to be one of many handsomest of the ugly fish on this record. Bowfin are discovered within the jap U.S. It has modern strains, which helps it navigate tight ambush spots. Its lengthy dorsal fin and large tail assist it cruise by means of the water. What’s ugly is its beady eyes, mouthful of enamel, and muscular, snake-like physique. The bowfin is monstrously aggressive, biting, and snapping at something that will get close to its mouth. Catch one and a fish-gripper or pliers is likely to be finest to carry it whereas attempting to extract the lure.
Bowfin are widespread amongst some anglers for his or her aggressiveness and measurement. Adults develop to about 27-30 inches and as much as 5 kilos. Don’t get them confused with non-native snakeheads, which resemble bowfins however have an prolonged anal fin and pelvic fins are close to the pectoral fins and gills.
READ NEXT: How to Catch Bowfins in Rivers and Tidal Systems
Burbot
The burbot are present in northern freshwater lakes and rivers. They breed in frigid waters; what else is there to do in winter, proper? Burbot have a smashed, flat face, large mouth, elongated physique, fats stomach, lengthy dorsal fin, protruding nostrils and one chin whisker (generally known as a barbel). It’s not a speedy fish and doesn’t do nicely in swift waters. They cover out, just about, in deeper water; some have been recorded to 980 toes in Lake Superior. These ugly ducklings are discovered all through North America from Alaska to New Brunswick, and in Europe and Asia. Ugly as they might be, burbot are a wonderful consuming fish and are described because the “poor man’s lobster” by some.
READ NEXT: Indiana Fisherman Breaks Burbot Record Twice in One Day
Flathead Catfish
Of all of the generally identified catfish species, the flathead certainly takes the prize of Top Ugly. Neither the blue nor channel cat are lookers, the flathead, although, makes you look twice. It sometimes has an olive-colored physique with yellowish-white stomach. Some anglers name it a “yellow cat,” which isn’t an official species however is frequent sufficient that catmen will know what you’re speaking about. Depending on the situation and age, it could have extra of a yellowish or darkish hue. It’s additionally know as a mudcat and shovelhead. Its physique is lengthy and flat, not like the stocky blue cat that sports activities a bulging stomach. Flatheads have tiny eyes for his or her measurement, together with a large mouth. Its decrease jaw extends previous the higher. A fan of stay forage similar to crayfish, sunfish, and bigger gizzard shad. Despite the ugly options, flatheads are large hunters due to a eager sense of style and detection of vibrations emitted by different species.
READ NEXT: Tips for Catching Trophy Flathead Catfish
Flounder
I imply, c’mon. How can the flounder not be one of many ugliest fish anyplace? They have two eyes on one facet of their head, or physique, or face, or no matter it’s. Their our bodies are bizarre, too, like a deflated soccer. Flounder have a mottled, olive-brown coloration with a white stomach, which has similarities to fluke, halibut, plaice, turbot, sole and different species of the flatfish household. They all have similarities, together with flat our bodies, an extended and frilly dorsal fin, and eyes on the identical facet. That occurs a couple of weeks after start when the fish’s physique and cranium start altering, and each eyes find yourself on the identical facet. They’re carnivorous, going after minnows and crabs. Flounder are discovered within the Atlantic Ocean from Nova Scotia down the East Coast to Florida and the Gulf.
READ NEXT: How to Catch Inshore Flounder from a Kayak
Hagfish
Ask a toddler to attract their wildest imaginary fish and chances are high good they may sketch one thing just like the hagfish. It has a cranium however no spinal column. It doesn’t have jaws. Their cranium isn’t arduous bone, however as an alternative is cartilage, as is their vertebrae. They have lengthy our bodies with pores and skin that appears like a rumpled sock, or possibly a hairless cat. Their pores and skin could also be pink, blue-gray or another coloration, relying on species and site. It incorporates most of their blood, thus the flabby look like a plastic grocery bag stuffed with water. The pores and skin additionally incorporates sacs of slime or mucous, which is venomous, and might be able to help with respiration when the fish is buried in mud. The hagfish appears extra like a large earthworm, to be trustworthy, though technically it’s a fish. It’s one of many most-studied species, too, with its mucous and pores and skin providing biologists and scientists quite a few alternatives. But, it’s damned ugly. It’s discovered within the deep waters of the North Atlantic.
Mola
Back within the late Nineteen Nineties I used to be fishing with some pals about 40 or so miles out within the Gulf of Mexico south of Orange Beach, one in every of Alabama’s prime launch factors. We have been working the underside cowl for crimson snapper when somebody pointed at one thing within the water. It was a mola, probably the most distinctive and, some would say, ugly fish within the seas. Also generally known as the ocean sunfish, the mola can develop to 11 toes and weigh greater than 2.5 tons. The mola has a bullet- or missile-shaped physique with two fins close to its rear, which is also a fin. But the rear fin its born with by no means grows, and as an alternative turns into a rudder. The mola strikes with its dorsal and anal fins. Often seen sunning on the floor. These big fish gobble jellyfish (hurray!) and are curious sufficient to return close to boats. I used to be glad the one we noticed years in the past was curious, as a result of regardless of being ugly it was fairly cool to see. Mola might be present in heat waters everywhere in the world.
Porcupinefish
The porcupinefish is much like pufferfish however in a unique household, so the species are carefully associated however not the identical. My aunt and uncle had a puffer on their desk once I was a child and I at all times puzzled what sort of fish may eat it. Not many, to make certain. Porcupinefish might look innocent till they inflate their our bodies, both by swallowing water or air. When they do, they enhance in measurement by virtually double. The ugly half comes throughout the inflation when spines alongside their physique stick out like that dude from Hellraiser. These sharp spines additional dissuade hungry predators. If that’s not sufficient, some species of porcupinefish have a neurotoxin referred to as tetrodotoxin of their organs. Some bigger species similar to sharks, tuna, and dolphin nonetheless eat them, however most fish keep away from them. Porcupinefish are discovered principally in tropical seas and shallow waters in temperate zones.
Sea Robin
The sea robin is an unpleasant deep-water dweller. Found in quite a few areas, one fast factor you discover is its giant pectoral fins. They seem like wings, thus giving this distinctive fish its title. Some sea robins have pleasant colours. Mostly, although, sea robins have drab colours of olive or brown. Their head and face appears like a shovel, or like somebody smashed a fish with a shovel, and is sort of sturgeon-like. The gill plates and dorsal fins have sharp spines which emit a venom that’s painful for a number of days. Sea robins are also generally known as a gunard for the deep croaking sound made when caught. They stay in deep water and might be caught with drop rigs baited with crab or fish.
Scorpionfish
Scorpionfish are among the many world’s ugliest and most dangerous fish. Their ugliness helps them, really, by offering camouflage amid the underside options the place they stay. With a lumpy, bumpy physique, flattened head, venomous spiny fins, they slot in properly with rocks, anemones, coral, sponges and different bottom-dwellers. Scorpionfish will lie in wait at night time to ambush fish, which don’t know what’s coming till they’re smacked. During the day, they sit back. Woe to any predator that makes an attempt to eat a scorpionfish, or an individual who touches one. Their spines emit venom that’s painful to people and lethal to fish. Lionfish discovered within the Gulf of Mexico and Florida waters are associated to scorpionfish, that are principally discovered within the Indian and South Pacific oceans.
Toadfish
With a face solely a mom may love, as they are saying, the toadfish can be among the many prime finalists for ugly fish of the 12 months. Toadfish is the frequent title for the species discovered within the Gulf of Mexico, Atlantic, South Pacific, and elsewhere. It primarily is present in hotter, shallow waters and simply blends in with its environment due to nice camouflage. Similar to the scorpionfish, its lumpy and bumpy physique helps it seamlessly slot in with backside cowl. Toadfish lie in wait to ambush its prey. Its dorsal fin has a venomous backbone, which is painful to people and lethal to many aquatic species. It dines on squid, smaller fish, mollusks, and crustaceans. In the Gulf of Mexico, it hangs out round oyster beds, seagrass beds, round rock jetties and pilings, pipes, concrete, marina buildings or comparable arduous cowl. With its extra-large eyes, frilled lips, and nasty disposition, the toadfish is one ugly cookie.