Scientists Discover New Colourful Fish Species Hiding In Maldivian Coral Reefs
Scientists have discovered a new species of fish hiding in the coral reefs of the Maldives that probably is the most beautiful and colourful looking fish you will ever see.
Named Cirrhilabrus finifenmaa, (finifenmaa means rose in Dhivehi language), the fish is a rose-veiled fairy wrasse that was actually hiding in plain sight. The fish was first discovered and studied in the 1990s, but at the time it was presumed to be the adult version of fish Cirrhilabrus rubrusquamis — a species that was known at the time.
A recent study however took a fresh look into this vibrant and colourful species of fish, observing its colours, size and scales, only to find that this species actually hadn’t been registered before.
Lead author and University of Sydney doctoral student Yi-Kai Tea explains, “What we previously thought was one widespread species of fish, is actually two different species, each with a potentially much more restricted distribution. This exemplifies why describing new species, and taxonomy in general, is important for conservation and biodiversity management.”
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While the fish is definitely unique and pretty, what makes this discovery more special is that it marks the first time a Maldivian scientist has formally described a new fish species. Maldives Marine Research Institute biologist, Ahmed Najeeb is one of the authors of the study.
Najeeb said in a statement, “It has always been foreign scientists who have described species found in the Maldives without much involvement from local scientists, even those that are endemic to the Maldives. This time it is different and getting to be part of something for the first time has been really exciting, especially having the opportunity to work alongside top ichthyologists on such an elegant and beautiful species.”
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