Photo credit: Peinemann, Viktor Nunes, et al.
A research team from the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) and the University of Washington has made an intriguing discovery—a new fish species named Sueviota pyrios, commonly known as the Grumpy dwarfgoby. Despite its diminutive size, this fish boasts a formidable appearance with its large canines and perpetually displeased expression, giving it a unique and menacing look.
Lucía Pombo-Ayora, one of the researchers involved in the study, coined the species’ common name based on its distinctively “grumpy” facial features. She commented: “In its own small world, it might be a fearsome predator. Its grumpy expression and prominent canines certainly give it an intimidating presence, despite its size.”
Measuring less than two centimeters, the Grumpy dwarfgoby features bright red coloration, allowing it to blend seamlessly into its natural habitat of coral reefs covered with red coralline algae. It typically resides in small crevices and holes on the walls and overhangs of the reefs, using its large canines to prey on tiny invertebrates.
The first specimens of this rare species were found in the Farasan Banks of Saudi Arabia, with additional findings near Thuwal in the Red Sea. Viktor Nunes Peinemann, one of the lead researchers, initially discovered the species during a diving expedition aimed at studying coral reef fish diversity. At first, the researchers believed they had rediscovered the fiery dwarfgoby, Sueviota pyrios, a species known only from a single specimen collected in 1972. However, further analysis revealed that they had uncovered a completely new, undescribed species.
Peinemann emphasized the significance of this discovery: “The ongoing identification of distinctive new species like the Grumpy dwarfgoby highlights the vast, yet-to-be-discovered biodiversity in the Red Sea. This discovery is particularly important in light of the recent environmental changes in the region. Some species might face extinction before they are even identified.”
The Red Sea is renowned for its high levels of endemic species, and the Grumpy dwarfgoby is the latest addition to its unique fauna. The researchers underscore the importance of continuing exploration and conservation efforts in the Red Sea, which has been severely impacted by climate change, including coral bleaching and mortality. Despite these challenges, the discovery of new species like this dwarfgoby showcases the region’s ecological richness and the urgent need for protection.
This research has been published in the open-access journal ZooKeys, further contributing to the understanding of Red Sea biodiversity and marine ecosystems.
Reference: Nunes Peinemann V, Pombo-Ayora L, Tornabene L, Berumen ML (2024). The Grumpy dwarfgoby, a new species of Sueviota (Teleostei, Gobiidae) from the Red Sea. ZooKeys 1212: 17-28. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1212.121135
