Off the coast of Brazil, more than 120 metres below the surface of the ocean, lives a newly discovered, rare and strikingly beautiful fish.
Tosanoides aphrodite was discovered by a team of divers from the California Academy of Sciences, in the US, led by Luiz Rocha. It is formally described in the journal Zookeys.
Although startlingly obvious when photographed, T. aphrodite’s vivid pink colouring in reality serves to hide it from predators.
“Fishes from the twilight zone tend to be pink or reddish in colour,” says team member Hudson Pinheiro. “Red light doesn’t penetrate to these dark depths, rendering the fishes invisible unless illuminated by a light like the one we carry while diving.”
Originally published by Cosmos as A species dazzlingly revealed
Cosmos
Curated content from the editorial staff at Cosmos Magazine.
Read science facts, not fiction...
There’s never been a more important time to explain the facts, cherish evidence-based knowledge and to showcase the latest scientific, technological and engineering breakthroughs. Cosmos is published by The Royal Institution of Australia, a charity dedicated to connecting people with the world of science. Financial contributions, however big or small, help us provide access to trusted science information at a time when the world needs it most. Please support us by making a donation or purchasing a subscription today.
