Introducing KNOVA — A free reading app with curriculum-aligned passages on History & Science for Grades 3-8Learn More →

Blobfish Adaptations to Extreme Pressure — Reading Comprehension

No ratings yet

Premium Resource

Grades

Rate this resource

Send Feedback / Report an Issue

About This Reader

This engaging passage explores the fascinating world of the blobfish and its unique adaptations to the extreme pressure of the deep sea. Students will learn how the blobfish's internal and external structures support its survival, aligning with NGSS LS1.A: Structure and Function. Key concepts include buoyancy, density, and specialized body features that allow it to thrive in its environment. This resource is perfect for grade 5 students, offering an insightful look into marine biology and animal adaptations. The passage is designed for easy comprehension and includes audio integration to support diverse learning styles, covering important topics like deep-sea ecosystems and survival strategies.

CONTENT PREVIEW

Blobfish floats above ocean floor with crustaceans, showing jelly body and deep-sea pressure. — Blobfish survives deep-sea pressure with jelly-like body and natural buoyancy.

Meet the Blobfish
The blobfish is a strange-looking fish found deep in the ocean off the coasts of Australia and New Zealand. It lives 2,000 to 4,000 feet under the sea, where the pressure is about 100 times stronger than at the ocean’s surface. At these depths, only animals with special adaptations can survive.

The Blobfish Mystery
People often think blobfish look like melting blobs, but that’s only when they’re brought up to the surface! Deep underwater, the blobfish looks more like a regular fish with a big head. When it is brought to the surface, the lack of water pressure makes its jelly-like body collapse—almost like a balloon losing air. That’s why blobfish look so droopy and floppy when seen on land.

Super Survival Adaptations
The blobfish has amazing adaptations for deep-sea life. Most fish have a swim bladder, an organ filled with gas to help them float. But in the deep sea, the pressure would crush a swim bladder, so blobfish don’t have one. Instead, their flesh is less dense than water. This means they can float effortlessly just above the sea floor without swimming much. Their soft, jelly-like body is perfect for handling the crushing pressure of the deep ocean. Blobfish also have huge mouths, so they can gulp up any food that drifts by—like crabs, sea urchins, or shellfish. They don’t chase their food; they just wait for it to come to them!

Family Life and Conservation
Blobfish have an unusual parenting style for deep-sea fish. The females lay thousands of eggs and actually guard them, making sure the eggs are safe until they hatch. Sadly, blobfish are endangered because they are often caught by accident in fishing nets.

The Deep-Sea Float Comparison
The blobfish is like a deep-sea float: it is built to work perfectly under high pressure, but when you take it out of its home, it falls apart—just like a water balloon with no air left.

Interesting Fact:
Blobfish were once voted the “World’s Ugliest Animal,” but underwater, they look just like any other fish!

Where do blobfish live?

Deep sea off Australia/New ZealandRivers in AfricaArctic iceRainforests in Brazil

What is one main adaptation of blobfish?

Jelly-like bodyFur for warmthWings for flyingSharp claws

Why do blobfish look strange on land?

No deep-sea pressureThey are sickThey have no bonesThey stop eating

What would happen if a fish with a swim bladder lived deep?

It would be crushedIt would float betterIt would swim fasterIt would change color

How do blobfish eat?

Wait for food to float byChase fast preyEat only plantsUse sharp teeth to hunt

Why are blobfish endangered?