New 'Grumpy' Fish Species Discovered In The Red Sea

Researchers have made an exciting discovery in Saudi Arabia - a new species of fish that has an unmistakably "grumpy" appearance.

The Grumpy dwarfgoby, scientifically named 'Sueviota aethon', was first found in the reefs off Saudi Arabia's Farsan banks, an area along the Red Sea.

The small fish were observed swimming in tiny caves and under overhangs, living at depths between 33 and 174 feet below the water's surface. Later sightings occurred near the village of Thuwal in Makkah Province.

Despite its tiny size - measuring less than two centimetres - the Grumpy dwarfgoby stands out due to its large canine teeth and stern expression.

The fish's appearance varies, with some being dark red, while others have a yellowish-orange or white colouration. Their eyes are particularly striking, with dark pupils encircled by iridescent golden rings.

Their red colouration helps them blend into their surroundings, particularly the reef walls covered in red algae. They use their large teeth to capture tiny prey.

The discovery was made by scientists from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology and the University of Washington. At first, they thought they had stumbled upon the previously known fiery dwarfgoby, which was originally documented in the 1970s. However, further investigation revealed this was a new species. Their findings were published in the journal 'ZooKeys'.

"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," said study co-author Lucía Pombo-Ayora.

The Red Sea region is renowned for its high levels of unique species found nowhere else on Earth. However, climate change has increasingly threatened this biodiversity.

The discovery of the Grumpy dwarfgoby underscores the urgent need for continued conservation efforts in the region.

"The ongoing discovery of distinctive new species like this grumpy dwarfgoby shows how much biodiversity remains undiscovered in the Red Sea," said Viktor Nunes Peinemann, one of the researchers.