10 of the Ugliest Fish in the Ocean

Without a doubt, this list features some of the ugliest fish you could hope to find in the Earth’s oceans. They live in marine waters worldwide, ensuring that no matter where you live, one of these unusual creatures is right around the corner. 

Barreleye Fish (Macropinna microstoma)

The Barreleye Fish is a peculiar-looking deep-sea creature. These fish are also sometimes known as “Spook Fish“. They are found in the temperate waters of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. This fish is named for the shape of its eyes, which look like tubes or barrels. They are directed upwards to allow the fish to detect prey more easily.

Amazingly, their heads are see-through. This means that they can use their tube-like eyes to look upward through their own heads. All species of this fish are fairly small, often less than 20 centimeters (7.9 inches).

Sloane’s Viperfish (Chauliodus sloani)

The Sloane’s Viperfish is a deep-sea dweller with a truly frightening appearance. It uses its long, needle-like teeth and extendable lower jaw to snatch prey in the dark depths. These ugly viperfish range in length from 30 to 60 centimeters (12 to 23 inches) and can be found in mesopelagic zone of temperate and tropical waters. They are dark silver to blue in colour and are covered in an unknown substance that looks like scales.

Wobbegong (Orectolobidae spp.)

Wobbegongs include 12 species of carpet shark that prefer to live in tropical waters around the Pacific Ocean and the eastern Indian Ocean. They are named after an Australian Aboriginal word meaning “shaggy beard.” This refers to the growths under their mouths that resemble beards. They are also covered with a strange pattern that allows them to camouflage well with their surroundings. They are bottom-dwelling sharks and spend most of their life resting along the seafloor. They only grow to be around 1.5 to 1.8 meters (5 to 6 feet) in length.

Cookiecutter Shark (Isistius brasiliensis)

The Cookie Cutter shark is also known as the “Cigar shark. It is regarded as a parasite due to its habit of biting chunks of flesh off of other animals and even non-organic material. Cookie Cutter shark bites have been seen on submarines, undersea cables, and in rare cases, human flesh. They have ugly round mouths that are filled with tiny teeth that are smooth and sharp like knives. These sharks are quite small and are less than 60 centimeters (23 inches) when fully grown.

Anglerfish (Lophiiformes spp.)

Anglerfish represent some of the ugliest fishes in the ocean. They are well known for the distinctive light emitting organ found on top of its head (known as an esca). Their unusually shaped body, huge head, and large mouth filled with sharp teeth add to their ugly appearance. Females are significantly larger than males.

Most species of Anglerfish reach around 30 centimeters (11 inches) in length. However, in some cases, they can achieve lengths of over 1 meter (3.3 feet). When mating, the males fuse themselves with the females, becoming one with her and feeding off of her like a parasite.

Goblin Shark (Mitsukurina owstoni)

The Goblin Shark is a rare species of deep-sea shark that’s as ugly as it is fascinating. Its most disturbing feature is its elongated, flattened snout, which is covered in sensory organs that help it hunt in the dark. When this shark senses prey, its jaw extends rapidly outward, revealing rows of razor-sharp teeth. While these predators can grow to be over 3 meters (10 feet) long, Goblin Sharks are rarely seen by humans because they lurk in the deepest, darkest parts of the ocean. And that’s probably for the best.

Blob Fish (Psychrolutes marcidus)

The Blobfish has earned the unfortunate title of “world’s ugliest animal,” and it’s not hard to see why. This deep-sea oddity has a gelatinous appearance, a bulbous nose, tiny eyes, and a perpetually unhappy expression. But the Blobfish’s “ugly” appearance is actually a result of the drastic change in pressure when it’s brought to the surface. In its natural habitat, thousands of feet below the waves, it looks more like a typical fish. So, while the Blobfish may be the poster child for “ugly” animals, it’s important to remember that its infamous looks are a consequence of decompression, being removed from its deep-sea home.

Red Handfish (Thymichthys politus)

The Red Handfish is often cited as one of the ugliest fish in the ocean. And let’s be honest, it’s not hard to see why. This bizarre creature has a lumpy, pinkish-red body covered in wart-like growths. Its most distinctive feature, however, is its hand-like pectoral fins, which it uses to awkwardly “walk” across the ocean floor. Sadly, this unusual fish is critically endangered and only found in two small reefs in Tasmania. Threats such as habitat degradation, the illegal aquarium trade, and competition with sea urchins have all contributed to its decline.

Atlantic Wolffish (Anarhichas lupus)

The Atlantic Wolffish looks like the grumpy grandpa of the sea. With its elongated body, menacing teeth, and a face that could scare a shark, it’s definitely one ugly fish. This deep-sea dweller sports a drab coloration of olive green or blue-grey, and its most striking feature is undoubtedly its mouthful of teeth. It’s rows of molars and some impressive fangs are perfect for crushing the shells of its prey. It also has a unique adaptation that allows it to survive in icy cold waters: natural antifreeze.

Gulper Eel (Eurypharynx pelecanoides)

The Gulper Eel isn’t just one of the ugliest fish, it’s downright grotesque. Its most striking feature is its ridiculously oversized mouth, which is loosely hinged and can expand to engulf prey much larger than itself. Compared to its massive mouth, the Gulper Eel has very small eyes and a long, thin body that ends in a whip-like tail. This body shape helps conserve energy in the deep sea. Its tail often has a bioluminescent organ, possibly used to attract prey or mates in the darkness.

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