‘Brilliant’ blue and green fish — that can climb — is a new species in Indonesia
In a clear, fast-moving stream on a small Indonesian island blanketed by rainforest lives a metallic-colored fish capable of climbing waterfalls.
Researchers have now confirmed, based on eight specimens collected from their home on Enggano Island, that the “brilliant”-looking fish is a new species of goby, according to a study published June 17 in the journal Taprobanica.
Stiphodon hadiatyae belongs to group of fish called Sicydiinae that are known to inhabit remote areas and possess “highly developed” suction discs that allow them to adhere to rocks and even scale waterfalls, according to researchers.
The new species is amphidromous, meaning it spawns in freshwater, migrates to the sea, then returns to freshwater to finish maturing and to reproduce, beginning the cycle all over again, the study said.
The fish, just over an inch long, were described as having “metallic green to brilliant light blue” heads and “rosy red” fins with black spots along their backs, according to the study.
Males of the species have an “extremely” long fourth spine, researchers said, which may serve as protection against predators.
Researchers said Stiphodon hadiatyae is named after the “late Renny Kurnia Hadiaty, who was a leading international expert on the systematics of the freshwater fishes of Southeast Asia, especially those from her home country of Indonesia.”
The species is known only from one tributary in Malakoni Village on Enggano Island, which is about 110 miles south of Sumatra.
The research team included N. Nurjirana, Rudhy Gustiano, H. Haryono and Kunto Wibowo.
This story was originally published June 23, 2025 at 1:08 PM with the headline "‘Brilliant’ blue and green fish — that can climb — is a new species in Indonesia."
