Scientists Discover New Rainbow Colored Species Of Fish Near The Maldives

If you happen to know anything about fish, you realize that there are some rather unique species out there. Some are beautiful, others maybe not so much but all of them offer something unique.

For those of you that love beautiful fish, scientists have some good news for you.

They’ve recently discovered a rainbow fish in the Maldives that they have never found before. It is known as the rose-veiled fairy wrasse or Cirrhilabrus finifenmaa, and you can read more about it in ZooKeys.

The fish were found off the coast of the Maldives in an area of the ocean that is known as the twilight zone. This is the part of the ocean that is deep enough that it appears as if it is perpetually twilight.

The rose-veiled fairy wrasse is brightly colored with yellow, red, violet, and orange. It almost looks as if it is on fire!

There are other species that have been recently researched that have a similar appearance but the DNA is different. Guidesly shared a photo of the fish on Twitter and you can see how beautiful it is!

New rainbow-colored, deep-sea fish officially described by scientists in the Maldives! The fish is named the rose-veiled fairy wrasse.#Rose #FairyWrasse #New #Fish #Fishing #Research #Researchers #Discovery #Science #Ocean #DeepSea #Ocenic #Rainbow #Maldives #Discover pic.twitter.com/J3LmcG39Z8

— Guidesly (@Guidesly) March 29, 2022

The lead author of the study, who is also from the University of Sydney, Yi-Kai Tea, said in a statement:

“What we previously thought was one widespread species of fish, is actually two different species, each with a potentially much more restricted distribution. his exemplifies why describing new species, and taxonomy in general, is important for conservation and biodiversity management.”

This fish is not only newly discovered, but it also has the distinction of being the first to be described by a scientist from the Maldives. The description helps to establish it as a new species that has not been found before.

“It has always been foreign scientists who have described species found in the Maldives without much involvement from local scientists, even those that are endemic to the Maldives,” wrote the co-author, biologist Ahmed Najeeb.

Najeeb went on to say that it is very exciting because it is something that happened for the first time. He is also thrilled to be able to work alongside top ichthyologists in the discovery of a new species.

As far as the name of the new fish is concerned, it comes from the local Dhivehi language. Finifenmaa is translated rose, which also happens to be the national flower of the island.