Shimmering river creature with ‘rather large’ eyes found in China. It’s a new species

In a river of eastern China, a “brightly colored” creature with “rather large” eyes swam through the clear water. The sunlight glinted off its body, making it shimmer.

Scientists noticed the scaly animal — and discovered a new species.

Researchers visited several rivers in Zhejiang Province between 2021 and 2022 to survey wildlife, according to a study published Oct. 1 in the peer-reviewed journal ZooKeys. The region is “rich in freshwater fish species.”

During their visits, researchers caught several small, shiny fish, the study said. They took a closer look and quickly realized the animals didn’t match any other records. They’d discovered a new species: Opsariichthys iridescens, or the iridescent minnow.

Iridescent minnows can reach just over 4 inches in length, the study said. They have “elongated” bodies with “rounded” bellies.

Photos show the “brightly colored” new species. Researchers said they named it after the Latin word “iridescens,” meaning “iridescent,” because of its “unique body color.”

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Male iridescent minnows are “more colorful than females,” the study said and photos show. They have alternating teal and pink stripes on their sides, a hint of orange on their belly and some bright yellow on their lower fins.

Female fish have alternating teal and yellow stripes on their sides and more dulled golden yellow hues, another photo shows.

Researchers found iridescent minnows “in the headwaters of streams” with “clear water” and “medium-sized pebbles and boulders.”

So far, the new species has only been found in the Qiantang and Oujiang rivers of Zhejiang Province, the study said. This province is along the eastern coast of China and a roughly 800-mile drive south of Beijing.

The new species was identified by its DNA, coloring, scale arrangement, fin shape, lips and other subtle physical features, the study said.

The research team included Xin Peng, Jia-Jun Zhou, Hong-Di Gao and Jin-Quan Yang.

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