ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) discovers new deep-sea fish species Cyttopsis indica

Exam-focused facts from the 7 July 2026 current affairs briefing.

Key facts

The ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) discovered a new deep-sea fish species in the Arabian Sea off southern Kerala.
The species is named Cyttopsis indica (Indian dory) and belongs to the genus Cyttopsis, a primitive group of marine fishes known as dories.
The fish was found at depths of 350-500m along the continental slope of the eastern Lakshadweep Sea.
The discovery was based on six specimens collected from deep-sea trawl landings at the Sakthikulangara fishing harbour in Kollam.
CMFRI scientist Ratheesh Kumar R led the research, which combined traditional taxonomic analysis with advanced molecular tools to confirm the new species.