New Species Blind Subterranean Fish

Badan Riset dan Inovasi Nasional (BRIN) together with collaborators from the Indonesian Speleological Society (ISS) and the Indonesian Species Obscura Foundation succeeded in finding a new species of blind cave fish from the Klapanunggal karst area, Bogor Regency, West Java.

The fish named Barbodes klapanunggalensis, has very unique characteristics and is different from other cave fish species. This fish is completely blind, with eyes that have undergone reduction and leave only traces of orbital basins covered with skin. Its body does not have black pigment (melanophores), so it looks silvery white with transparent fins.

Barbodes klapanunggalensis has a relatively long pectoral and ventral fin, as well as axial scales located behind a short ventral fin with a rounded tip. This species shows morphological characters that are highly adapted to dark and isolated cave habitats.

This barbodes species lives in small ponds in caves that are drained by water seeping from the cave floor. These pools have a fine clay substrate and clear water. This fish tends to stay still in calm water, but will actively swim when the water is disturbed.

Barbodes klapanunggalensis is currently only known to live in Cisodong Cave 1, which is located in the Klapanunggal karst area, which has an area of about 66 km². However, only 9.96 percent is protected by the Indonesian government in the form of the Bogor Karst Landscape Area.

Source: brin.go.id