Bathymyrus perplexus Identified as New Fish Species in Bay of Bengal

Bathymyrus perplexus is a newly identified fish species from the Bay of Bengal, with scientific identification completed by the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) unit at Gopalpur on 30 September 2026. The species was first represented by a specimen collected off Paradip in 2021, and 32 specimens were recorded between 2021 and 2025 from Paradip, West Bengal, the Godavari region, and Kakinada.

Taxonomy and Discovery

Bathymyrus perplexus belongs to the group of marine fishes studied through specimen-based taxonomy and DNA analysis. The identification was confirmed after examination of a specimen collected in 2025 and brought to the ZSI Gopalpur centre for detailed study.

Research Team and Publication

The research was carried out by a joint team from ZSI Gopalpur that included Dr. Anil Mohapatra, Dr. Smrutirekha Acharya, Dr. Deepanjan Ray, Dr. Swarup Ranjan Mohanty, Shubhendu Sekhar Mishra, and Dr. Jitendra Kumar Sundaray. The findings were published in the Bulletin of Marine Science, a marine science journal based in the United States, on 24 September 2026.

Important Facts for Exams

• Bathymyrus perplexus was identified from the Bay of Bengal, which is part of the north-eastern Indian Ocean.
• The first specimen was collected off Paradip in Odisha in 2021.
• The species was recorded from multiple Indian coastal regions, including West Bengal, the Godavari region, and Kakinada.
• The fish is non-venomous and has teeth on both jaws and on the head region.

Physical Features and Habitat

Bathymyrus perplexus is usually found at depths of 50 to 100 metres off the coast. It has a long cylindrical body, a distinctive head and snout structure, pink to cloudy pink body colour, heavy black pigmentation on the upper part of the head, and a black mark extending from the eye to the snout.

Specimen Preservation

A specimen of Bathymyrus perplexus was kept in the laboratory for further research as of 30 September 2026. Specimen preservation is a standard method in zoological studies for comparative examination and reference.