New fish discovered in Red Sea has a very grumpy expression
A new species of fish has been discovered in the Red Sea during a diving expedition to research coral reef fish diversity. With its bright red colouration, large canines and menacing expression, it certainly suits its common name, the ‘grumpy dwarfgoby’.
Researchers from the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology and the University of Washington have named a new fish species with a permanently angry expression. The paper, which has been published in the journal Zookeys – an open-access journal- reveals the name of the new species, the Grumpy dwarfgoby (Sueviota aethon).
New species
The Grumpy dwarf goby, at less than 2 cm in size, has a rather fierce expression with large canines and bright colouration. Lucía Pombo-Ayora, who chose its grumpy common name, said: "I imagine in its own tiny world, it is a fearsome predator. Its grumpy expression and large canines certainly make it look the part, despite its small size."
The species’ bright red colouration helps it to blend into its surroundings, as it is found on the walls and overhangs of coral reefs, at depths of 10 to 53 meters, which are covered in red coralline algae. Within this environment, it lives in small holes and cracks and hunts tiny invertebrates using its large canines. The grumpy dwarfgoby seems to be a relatively rare species of fish, which may be why it has gone undiscovered until now.
The research team found the first specimens of the fish in the Farasan Banks in Saudi Arabia, with more then discovered near Thuwal in the Red Sea. Researcher Viktor Nunes Peinemann first found them during a diving expedition to explore coral reef fish diversity. At first, researchers thought they had rediscovered a species named the fiery dwarfgoby, Sueviota pyrios, which was only known from a single specimen found in 1972. However, when they examined the new specimen more closely, they realised it was a newly discovered species.
Climate change causing trouble for the Red Sea
"The ongoing discovery of distinctive new species like this grumpy dwarfgoby shows how much biodiversity remains undiscovered in the Red Sea," Viktor Nunes Peinemann explained. "This is concerning given the recent environmental changes in the region. In some cases, species could go extinct before we even describe them."
The region is known for its high levels of endemic – an animal that is native or restricted to a certain area – species and the grumpy dwarfgoby has been added to the list. The Red Sea has been subject to major disturbances caused by climate change in recent years, including coral bleaching and morality. Due to the discovery of new species, the researchers believe that urgent continuation of research and conservation in the area is needed.
Source of the news:
Viktor Nunes Peinemann, Lucía Pombo-Ayora, Tornabene, L. and Berumen, M.L. (2024). The Grumpy dwarfgoby, a new species of Sueviota (Teleostei, Gobiidae) from the Red Sea. ZooKeys, 1212, pp.17–28. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1212.121135.