The blobfish, often ridiculed for its droopy, gelatinous form, has reclaimed the spotlight—not for its looks, but for a surprising victory. This deep-sea oddity has been named New Zealand’s Fish of the Year, an honor awarded by the Mountain to Sea Conservation Trust to highlight the country’s unique marine and freshwater species.

In a competition that drew over 5,500 votes, the blobfish emerged victorious with nearly 1,300 ballots in its favor. The win is a remarkable twist for a creature that first captured global attention in 2013 as the unlikely mascot of the Ugly Animal Preservation Society.

Native to deep waters off the coasts of Australia and Tasmania, blobfish inhabit extreme depths of 2,000 to 4,000 feet (600-1,200 meters). At these pressures, they actually maintain a more conventional fish-like form. However, once hauled to the surface too quickly, the lack of water pressure causes their bodies to lose structure, leaving them with their famously droopy and deflated appearance—one that cemented their reputation as the "world’s ugliest animal."

The competition was fierce, with the orange roughy, another deep-sea dweller, finishing in second place. Known for the mucous-lined canals on its head, this fish belongs to the slimehead family and was an early frontrunner in the contest.

"It was a battle of the deep-sea misfits," said Kim Jones, co-director of the Mountain to Sea Conservation Trust. "Two quirky, often-overlooked creatures fighting for their place in the spotlight. But in the end, the blobfish’s unconventional charm won the public over."

The tide turned in favor of the blobfish thanks in part to an enthusiastic campaign launched by radio hosts Sarah Gandy and Paul Flynn from New Zealand’s More FM. Rallying support on-air, they championed the underdog fish.

"This poor guy has been the butt of jokes for years," they said in a celebratory statement. "He’s been sitting at the bottom of the ocean, just waiting for his moment. And now, finally, the blobfish gets the recognition he deserves!"

While known for its sluggish demeanor and soft, boneless body, the blobfish plays a vital role in deep-sea ecosystems, feasting on mollusks, crustaceans like crabs and lobsters, and even sea urchins. However, conservationists warn that deep-sea trawling poses a serious threat to its population.

The Fish of the Year contest mirrors New Zealand’s Bird of the Year competition, an annual event run by Forest & Bird to raise awareness for at-risk species. Last year’s avian winner was the hoiho, a rare species of penguin.

With its newfound title, the blobfish proves that beauty is in the eye of the beholder—and that even the most misunderstood creatures deserve their moment in the limelight.