The Blobfish has taken out the title for Mountain to Sea's 'Fish of the Year' 2025 after support from More FM and you!
After being named the ‘ugliest animal’ in 2013, the Blobfish has finally earned the recognition it deserves.
The competition came to a dramatic close yesterday, with deep-sea rivals Orange Roughy and Blobfish campaigning hard right up to the last minute.
Ultimately, the Blobfish gained more momentum, winning by nearly 300 votes.
It was with the help of More FM's Sarah and Flynny, who took it upon themselves to campaign for the underdog.
“He [the Blobfish] has been bullied his whole life, and we thought, ‘Stuff this, it’s time for the Blobfish to have his moment in the sun’—and what a glorious moment it is!"
Even Si, Lana, and The Breakfast Club rallied behind the cause, though Si was initially taken aback by the Blobfish's appearance, questioning: "Is that really what it looks like?"
First introduced in 2021, the Mountain to Sea initiative aims to raise awareness among New Zealanders about the diverse range of fish in our freshwater and marine environments.
Kim Jones, Co-Director of the Mountains to Sea Conservation Trust, commented: "It was a true battle of the deep-sea underdogs."
Over 10,000 Kiwis visited the website to learn about the remarkable freshwater and marine fish that inhabit New Zealand's waters.
Fish of the Year 2025 - Top Five
Blobfish - 1286 votes
Orange roughy - 1009 votes
Longfin eel / Tuna - 646 votes
Whale shark - 596 votes
Big-bellied seahorse / Manaia - 386 votes
The next question is... who will it be next year?
