Scientists Discover Subterranean Fish 'Gangaichthys indonepalicus' in Indo-Gangetic Basin

Key facts

• A new subterranean eel-like fish species named Gangaichthys indonepalicus has been discovered in the Indo-Gangetic Basin, first reported through a 2024 TikTok video of a creature emerging from a borewell near the India-Nepal border.
• The species name 'Gangaichthys' means 'fish of the Ganga', while 'indonepalicus' indicates its distribution across India and Nepal.
• Gangaichthys indonepalicus measures no more than 4 cm in length and has evolved for complete darkness, with eyes covered by skin and a translucent body.
• Researchers pumped thousands of litres of groundwater from borewells in Bihar to collect three specimens; the first specimen died after 2,000 litres were pumped, and a live one emerged after 500 more litres.
• The new species differs from the earthworm eel family Chaudhuriidae by having no body pigmentation, smaller eyes, and an apparent absence of ribs.
• The discovery was reported in the journal ZooKeys, with scientists from the Thackeray Wildlife Foundation, Shivaji University, Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility, and the Zoological Survey of India participating.