What causes the blobfish to appear distorted?

The blobfish appears distorted when taken out of its high-pressure deep-sea environment due to the difference in pressure[4]. Their gelatinous body becomes[4] misshapen and loses its defined shape when exposed to the low pressure at the ocean's surface. This is because their bodies are less dense than the water around them[1], allowing them to float along the sea floor without a swim bladder[1], and without the pressure from the surrounding water, their loose-fitting skin and soft structure cause[4] them to lose their true form[4]. Additionally, the fixation process during preservation in alcohol solution can further tighten the skin and contribute to the distortion of its appearance.