Goalpara, Oct 21: Assam Environment and Forests Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah welcomed the discoveries of two rare fish species in Goalpara district, saying Assam’s natural heritage extends beyond its forests and wetlands to ecosystems hidden beneath the ground.
Recently, Scientists have identified two new species of underground fish in Assam’s Goalpara district, highlighting the state’s rich and lesser-known biodiversity.
The species, Gitchak nakana and Rakthamichthys anchi, live in underground water systems and have adapted to survive in complete darkness.
Positive Headline of the Day!
Assam Uncovers a Hidden Aquatic World as Scientists Discover Two New Subterranean Fish Species..
Assam has made another remarkable contribution to global biodiversity research, with scientists describing two previously unknown subterranean fish species from wells in Goalpara district. The discoveries of Gitchak nakana, a tiny transparent and blind loach, and Rakthamichthys anchi, a transparent, eel-like fish, have revealed a hidden world beneath the surface of the state.
The discoveries highlight how much remains to be understood about Assam’s rich and diverse natural heritage. Gitchak nakana measures around two centimetres and has a striking reddish appearance because its transparent body reveals its blood and internal organs. Rakthamichthys anchi, meanwhile, is a slender subterranean fish belonging to the swamp eel family. Both species are adapted to life in underground groundwater environments, making their discovery particularly significant for scientific research.
An important part of this story is the role of local communities in advancing science. The first specimen of Gitchak nakana was collected in 2021 after researcher Wimarithy K. Marak recognised the unusual creature in a well and shared its photograph with her supervisor. Another discovery followed in 2024 when a relative encountered a different subterranean fish while cleaning a well. These observations helped researchers document species that had remained unnoticed for years.
The research also involved collaboration with international scientists, including micro-CT scanning to examine the specimens in detail. However, the discoveries underline the need to protect groundwater ecosystems. Pollution affecting surface water can also reach underground habitats, potentially threatening these little-understood species. Researchers have withheld the exact locations to reduce the risk of exploitation.
Our biodiversity extends far beyond the forests, rivers and wetlands we can see. Beneath Assam’s soil lies a remarkable natural world that science is only beginning to understand. By strengthening research, keeping groundwater clean and encouraging communities to report unusual wildlife discoveries, we can protect these hidden ecosystems and preserve our natural heritage for generations to come.
#JayantaMallabaruah
— Jayanta Mallabaruah (@jayanta_malla) October 21, 2026
Two unusual fish species
Gitchak nakana is a tiny, blind fish measuring around 2 centimetres. Its body is almost transparent and appears red because its blood vessels and internal organs are visible through its skin.
The fish has no bony roof over its skull, leaving its brain covered only by skin in that area. It also lays a few large eggs, which may help its young survive in underground waters where food is limited.
Its name comes from the local Garo language, with “Gitchak” meaning red and “na-kana” referring to a blind fish.
The second species, Rakthamichthys anchi, is a thin, transparent underground swamp eel. Its long body helps it move through narrow underground water channels.
Genetic studies suggest that the eel is distantly related to similar underground species found in the Western Ghats.
Discovery began with village wells
The discoveries were made possible by local residents and researcher Wimarithy K. Marak.
In 2021, Marak came across an unusual red creature found in a village well near the foothills of the Shillong Plateau. Further research led to the identification of Gitchak nakana.
In 2024, a relative cleaning a well found the underground swamp eel, which was later identified as Rakthamichthys anchi.
International researchers used advanced scanning technology to study the fish and examine their body structures without damaging the specimens.
Scientists call for groundwater protection
Fewer than 10% of subterranean fish species worldwide are known to live in groundwater aquifers, making the discoveries significant for biodiversity research.
Scientists have warned that pesticides, chemical pollution and excessive groundwater extraction could threaten these fragile habitats.
Since pollution on the surface can reach underground water systems, protecting groundwater is important for both these species and the wider environment.
Researchers have kept the exact locations of the wells confidential to prevent disturbance and possible exploitation of the newly identified fish.
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