‘Fire’-eyed river creature — with odd way of protecting its eggs — is a new species

In a river of southern Myanmar, a “fire”-eyed creature swam through the water. Maybe it was the shiny scales or the nearly fluorescent coloring, because something about the animal caught the attention of nearby scientists. It turned out to be a new species.

Researchers visited the Kra Buri River on a wildlife survey in 2022, according to a study published Jan. 15 in the journal Raffles Bulletin of Zoology.

While there, researchers found several brightly colored fish, the study said. The fish matched some available in the aquarium trade but did not appear in scientific records. Taking a closer look at the animals, researchers realized they’d discovered a new species: Channa pyrophthalmus, or the fire-eyed snakehead fish.

Fire-eyed snakehead fish are known to reach nearly 5 inches in length, researchers said. They have “large” heads, “large” mouths and an “elongate” body. Their lips are “fleshy” and “steel blue” in color. Around their eyes, the fish have “bright orange” patches.

A photo shows a fire-eyed snakehead fish. Overall, the animal has a creamy brown coloring but its fins and head are tinged with icy blue and sunset orange blotches.

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Researchers said they named the new species after the Greek words for “fire” and “eye” because the coloring around its eyes looks like “glowing embers.”

In the aquarium trade, fire-eyed snakehead fish have been available since at least 2009 and were called “fire and ice” fish, the study said.

Snakehead fish are “banned in the U.S.” but are popular in Europe and Asia because of their coloring and “interesting behavior,” the study’s lead co-author Ralf Britz told McClatchy News via email.

Like other snakehead fish, the new species has an unusual way of protecting its eggs: mouthbrooding, researchers said.

Mouthbrooding involves a fish holding its eggs in its mouth until they hatch, according to an article from the Ocean Conservancy. During this time, the parent is typically unable, or highly limited, in their ability to eat.

Fire-eyed snakehead fish have so far only been found in the Kra Buri River along the Myanmar-Thailand border, the study said. A video shared on YouTube by Michael John Phillips shows the Kra Buri River from Thailand.

The new species was identified by its coloring, bone structure and size, the study said. DNA analysis found the new species had between about 10% and 19% genetic divergence from other snakehead fish in Myanmar.

The research team included Ralf Britz, Tan Heok Hui and Lukas Rüber. The team also discovered three more new species of snakehead fish: one with red cheeks, another with orange-tipped fins and one with “saddle-like” markings.

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