Scientists from India's National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) in Goa have announced the discovery of a previously unknown species of bioluminescent deep-sea fish during an expedition in the central Indian Ocean.
The fish, provisionally named Photonectes indicus, was found at a depth of 4,200 meters — nearly three miles below the ocean surface. It produces a distinctive blue-green bioluminescent pattern that researchers believe serves both as camouflage and as a means of communication with potential mates.
"Deep-sea exploration in the Indian Ocean is still in its infancy," said Dr. Anuradha Shukla, the marine biologist who led the expedition. "Every dive reveals species that science has never documented. We are only beginning to understand the biodiversity of these extreme environments."
The discovery was made using India's newly commissioned deep-sea submersible "Samudrayaan," which can operate at depths of up to 6,000 meters. The submersible program, part of the Deep Ocean Mission, has opened up vast new areas for scientific exploration.
