Rakthamichthys anchi

Rakthamichthys anchi Latest News

Scientists have discovered a new species of blind and blood-red eel from two non-descript dug-out wells located in a village in Assam’s Goalpara district and has been given the name Rakthamichthys anchi. 

About Rakthamichthys anchi

• It is a new species of phreatobitic synbranchid eel discovered in Assam.
• The name anchi is a Garo word meaning ‘blood’.
• The Rakthamichthys genus of phreatobitic (residing exclusively within the phreatic zone of groundwater aquifers) swamp eels (Synbranchidae) is endemic to India.
• It is now the second swamp eel of the genus to be discovered in the Northeast.
• Characteristics
  • Its body carries no pigment at all.
  • Its blood red colour, which gives the species its name, actually comes from blood vessels showing through its almost transparent skin.

What are Eels?

• Eels are elongated, slender fish, of which there are over 500 species characterized by elongate wormlike bodies. 
• They lack scales, and their dorsal and anal fins run continuously around their tail.
• Habitat: Eels can be found in oceans across the globe, and many species can be found in freshwater habitats as well. 
• Diet: Eels are primarily predatory fish with carnivorous diets. Some eel species are cannibalistic. Their diet typically consists of smaller fish, invertebrates, crustaceans etc.

Source: DTE

‹ ›