Chinese scientists have recently discovered a new species of cavefish, which is blind and lives in an underground river within a cave in Guizhou Province, Southwestern China.
In a report published in the international journal Zoosystematics and Evolution, the fish, scientifically named Sinocyclocheilus guiyang, is described as having a pale pink color and belongs to the genus Sinocyclocheilus.
New blind fish from China, November 15, 2019. (Source: Xinhua).
The new species is named after Guiyang City, the capital of Guizhou Province, where this fish was discovered in 2019.
This fish is blind, with its eyes having degenerated into black spots lacking a complete eye structure.
This condition may be due to the environment in which the fish lives, which has no light. The population of this species is very small, consisting of only 25 individuals.
Recent surveys indicate that the number of these fish continues to decline.
Researchers warn that the Sinocyclocheilus guiyang species is at high risk of extinction due to pollution from waste and threats from shrimp species.
Therefore, immediate measures are needed to protect the habitat of this fish.
