Scientists in northern India have identified a new species of subterranean fish after viewing a short video posted on TikTok. The video showed a small fish emerging from a narrow hole in the ground near the India-Nepal border. The fish was later named Gangaichthys indonepalicus, marking the first known subterranean eel from the Gangetic Basin. The new species is about 1.5 inches long and has a translucent, colorless body. It has small eyes covered by skin and lacks ribs, adaptations suited for living in complete darkness.
Researchers had to manually pump large amounts of water from local borewells in order to find specimens, according to Yahoo News. The first specimen they found died immediately during the process of extraction, according to a report from digitaltrends.com. The team eventually located a second specimen after pumping about 530 gallons of water, popsci.com reported.
Advanced imaging and genetic testing confirmed that Gangaichthys indonepalicus is not only a new species but also a new genus within the Chaudhuriidae family. The name Gangaichthys refers to the Ganges River, which is central to life in the region. The species’ second part, indonepalicus, indicates its location along the India-Nepal border.
Scientists say this discovery shows how much remains unknown about life beneath the surface of Earth. The research was published in the journal ZooKeys and involved teams from several institutions including the Thackeray Wildlife Foundation and Shivaji University. The Ganges River is vital for fresh water, food, livelihoods, and religious practices in India.
Researchers believe there are likely more species like this one still waiting to be found. The discovery highlights how modern social media can play a role in scientific exploration.
IMAGE: etrusko25 / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0)