Cave Fish in Meghalaya Retains Eyes and Color

Rahul Somvanshi

A new fish species found in a Meghalaya cave is making scientists question everything they know about evolution.

Photo Source: Pxhere

Representative Image.

Most cave creatures lose their eyes and color in permanent darkness - but Schistura densiclava kept both features intact.

Photo Source: Getarchive

Representative Image.

The fish displays bold black bars on a pale yellow-green body, complete with a thick stripe that earned its scientific name "densiclava."

Photo Credit: Josh More (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Representative Image.

Researchers from three institutions found this rule-breaking species 60 meters deep inside Krem Mawjymbuin cave.

Photo Source: Frank Vassen (CC BY 2.0)

Representative Image.

"This discovery highlights the untapped biodiversity thriving in Meghalaya's underground ecosystems," says Professor Dandadhar Sarma.

Photo Source: Vertebrate Zoology (CC BY 4.0)

Representative Image.

The fish belongs to a rare category called "troglophile" - creatures that can survive in caves but haven't fully adapted yet.

Photo Source: Pxhere

Representative Image.

Water temperatures stay around 18°C with dangerously low oxygen levels that would kill most fish species.

Photo Source: Denys Razumovskyi (Pexels)

Representative Image.

Males appear slimmer with puffier cheeks and irregular patterns, while females show more robust bodies with uniform markings.

Photo Source: Brian Gratwicke (Pexels)

Representative Image.

The fish survives on tiny crustaceans, insect parts, and even bat droppings when food sources run scarce.

Photo Source: David J. Stang (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Representative Image.

DNA sequencing confirms this species differs genetically from any other Schistura fish found in the region.

Photo Source: Jean Ogden Just Chaos Photography                                           (CC BY 2.0)

Representative Image.

Krem Mawjymbuin remains completely untouched by human disturbance, but religious reopening plans could threaten this pristine habitat.

Photo Credit: Citron (Animalia)

Representative Image.

With over 1,700 caves documented in Meghalaya but only a fraction studied, countless species likely await discovery.

Photo Source: Tylwyth Eldar (Animalia)

Representative Image.