Beauty might be in the eye of the beholder, but when it comes to some fish, you can’t help but wonder how they ended up with such bizarre appearances. As much as we might admire a dazzling clownfish or a sleek barracuda, there are some aquatic creatures that make you do a double-take for all the wrong reasons.
Today, I’m taking you through a gallery of the weirdest and ugliest fish in the world. Prepare yourself for some jaw-dropping looks—just maybe not in the way you’d expect!
20. Coffinfish
Coffinfish, with their ability to puff up like balloons when threatened, are some of the strangest-looking creatures in the sea. They have a peculiar shape, resembling a mix between a toad and a pufferfish. Found in deep waters, coffinfish are rarely seen by humans—but when they are, it’s an unforgettable sight.
19. Fangtooth
With a name like “fangtooth,” you can guess what stands out about this fish. Its teeth are disproportionately large for its body size, and it uses them to snag prey in the dark depths. Despite its fearsome appearance, the fangtooth is quite small and poses no real threat to humans.
18. Deep-Sea Hatchetfish
Hatchetfish are odd-looking creatures with bodies that resemble silvery hatchets. Their flat shape and photophores allow them to blend into the ambient light of the deep sea, making them nearly invisible to predators and prey. They might not be conventionally ugly, but their eerie appearance is enough to make anyone’s skin crawl.
17. Sloane’s Viperfish
Sloane’s viperfish might be small, but it’s no less terrifying. With enormous fangs that extend even when its mouth is closed, it’s a true predator of the deep sea. Its bioluminescent spots light up in the darkness, creating a ghostly spectacle that lures prey straight into its fearsome jaws.
16. Dragonfish
Don’t let their small size fool you—dragonfish are some of the fiercest predators in the deep sea. With glowing bodies, sharp teeth, and barbed tongues, they’re equipped for life in the pitch-black ocean depths. Their unsettling look has made them a popular subject in documentaries about the deep sea.
15. Humpback Anglerfish
14. Frilled Shark
The frilled shark looks like something out of the age of dinosaurs. With its eel-like body and frilly gills, it’s a rare find in the deep ocean. While its appearance might not be conventionally ugly, its odd features and the fact that it’s a living fossil make it one of the most peculiar fish in existence.
13. Lamprey
Lampreys are parasitic fish with round, sucker-like mouths filled with concentric rows of sharp teeth. They latch onto other fish and feed on their blood, leaving grisly wounds behind. Their snake-like bodies and nightmarish feeding habits have earned them a reputation as one of the most unsettling creatures in the sea.
12. Ocean Sunfish
Ocean sunfish, or mola mola, are enormous fish with truncated bodies that look like someone took a bite out of them. Despite their ungainly appearance, they’re gentle giants. Sunfish can weigh over two tons, making them the heaviest bony fish in the ocean.
11. Stonefish
Stonefish are the masters of blending in, and with good reason—they’re the most venomous fish in the world. Their lumpy, rock-like appearance helps them remain hidden among coral reefs, waiting for unsuspecting prey to wander by. It’s not so much their looks that are ugly as the dangerous surprise they can spring on you.
10. Red-Lipped Batfish
As the name suggests, this fish sports bright red lips that look like a botched makeup job. Found near the Galápagos Islands, the red-lipped batfish also has modified fins that it uses to “walk” along the sea floor. Its peculiar behavior and odd appearance make it a standout—though maybe not for the right reasons.
9. Sarcastic Fringehead
The sarcastic fringehead doesn’t just look unusual—it acts unusual too. Known for its aggressive territorial behavior, it opens its enormous mouth in a show of dominance. It’s a strange sight to see two fringeheads battling it out, resembling a bizarre underwater dance-off.
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8. Gulper Eel
Gulper eels are some of the strangest fish you’ll find in the deep ocean. With their enormous mouths, they can swallow prey much larger than themselves. Their long, whip-like tails add to their bizarre appearance. Though they’re seldom seen, they certainly make an impression when they are.
7. Wolf Fish
Wolf fish have a mean, grumpy look, with a set of teeth that wouldn’t be out of place in a horror flick. They use their powerful jaws to crush hard-shelled prey like crabs and sea urchins. Despite their intimidating appearance, they’re known to be shy and avoid human contact. Who can blame them?
6. Viperfish
With long, needle-like teeth and a glowing photophore on its belly, the viperfish is both creepy and fascinating. It uses its bioluminescence to attract prey, which it then impales on its sharp teeth. Nature might have crafted a unique predator here, but it’s hard to imagine many people wanting to meet one in person.
5. Stargazer
Stargazers are peculiar in that they bury themselves in the sand with only their eyes and mouth visible. Their appearance alone is unsettling, but what’s even stranger is that some species are equipped with electric organs capable of delivering shocks. If you’re ever swimming in stargazer territory, watch your step!
4. Monkfish
Monkfish are bottom-dwellers with flattened heads and wide mouths filled with sharp teeth. They might not win any beauty contests, but their firm, white flesh is considered a delicacy in culinary circles. So, while they’re not much to look at, they sure do taste good!
3. Goblin Shark
The goblin shark is one of those creatures that looks like it belongs in a prehistoric era. Its long snout, flabby body, and protruding jaw make it look like it’s been pulled from the set of a sci-fi thriller. This deep-sea dweller is rarely seen, which might be a good thing for anyone who doesn’t want to run into a real-life sea monster.
2. Anglerfish
The anglerfish might be the stuff of nightmares. Its sharp teeth, spiny body, and eerie bioluminescent lure make it look like a villain straight out of a horror movie. Females have a unique trick up their sleeves: a glowing appendage that dangles over their mouths, luring unsuspecting prey into the jaws of death.
Though it’s a sight to behold in the deep, it’s probably best admired from afar.
1. Blobfish – The King of Ugly!
If there were a fish beauty pageant for the world’s ugliest, the blobfish would win hands down. With its droopy face and gelatinous body, it looks like a sad lump of goo. It’s not all bad news, though; the blobfish’s peculiar appearance is only noticeable out of water.
In Summary
From the deep sea to shallow waters, these creatures remind us that the ocean is full of surprises—both delightful and disturbing. We might not find them attractive, but they’re fascinating in their own weird ways.