Picture: Blobfish - the world’s ugliest animal

A living blancmange that dwells in the darkest depths of the ocean has been named the world’s ugliest animal.

The blobfish (Psychrolutes marcidus) inhabits the deep waters off the coasts of the Australian mainland and Tasmania

The blobfish, described as “hideous” by Simon Watt from the Ugly Animal Preservation Society, is milky white and jelly-like.

Measuring up to a foot in length, it lives between 600 and 1,200 metres below the ocean surface off the coasts of Australia and Tasmania. Experts believe the blobfish is under serious threat.

“We’ve needed an ugly face for endangered animals for a long time,” said Mr Watt, speaking at the British Festival of Science at the University of Newcastle.

“For too long the cute and fluffy animals have taken the limelight but now the blobfish will be a voice for the mingers who always get forgotten.”

The blobfish topped a shortlist of five ugly animals voted for online by the public.

The Ugly Animal Preservation Society was set up to champion the cause of endangered creatures with no friends. It is backed by a number of celebrity scientists, presenters and comedians.

Physicist and broadcaster Professor Brian Cox said: “There are too many people trying to save cute animals. Ugly animals are more deserving than cute animals.”