A new species of fish was discovered in an underground cave in Meghalaya, India.
The fish is named Schistura densiclava and belongs to the loach family (Nemacheilidae).
It was found about 60 meters inside the Krem Mawjymbuin cave in East Khasi Hills district.
This fish is a troglophile, meaning it lives in caves but can also survive above ground in streams.
Unlike many cave fishes, it has pigment and eyesight.
The fish lives in cool, fast-flowing water with low oxygen and a temperature of about 18°C.
It has a pale yellow-green body with 14-20 greyish to faint black bars and a thick stripe near its dorsal fin, which inspired its name "densiclava" meaning "thick stripe" in Latin.
Male fish are slimmer with puffier cheeks and irregular patterns, while females are sturdier with consistent markings.
The fish is only found in this specific cave, showing it is unique to this area (endemic).
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