In January 2024, commercial trawlers operating off the southern coast of India made an unusual catch from the depths of the Arabian Sea, several long, strange-looking eels. These specimens, unlike the typical catch, had an unfamiliar appearance that caught the attention of marine biologists. The eels were handed over to scientists Paramasivam Kodeeswaran and T. T. Ajith Kumar for further investigation. Upon close examination and comparison with another unidentified specimen collected in 2022, the researchers realized they had stumbled upon a previously undocumented species.
Their findings were published in the peer-reviewed journal Zootaxa on June 30, 2025, officially naming the eel Facciolella smithi in honor of renowned ichthyologist David G. Smith.
Anatomical Characteristics
Smith’s witch eel displays several distinct anatomical features that set it apart from other known eels:
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Body Structure: The eel has an elongate, ribbon-like body that reaches just over two feet in length. This slender shape allows it to glide smoothly through deep-sea waters.
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Coloration: One of the most striking visual features is its two-tone body. The upper half is a rich brown, while the underside is described as “milky white.” This contrast may aid in camouflage in the dim oceanic depths.
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Head and Snout: The eel has a notably large head with a duckbill-like snout, giving it a peculiar, almost prehistoric look. This snout is thought to help the eel probe into the seafloor or crevices for food.
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Eyes and Vision: Despite its large head, the eyes of Facciolella smithi are relatively small, an adaptation to the low-light environment of the deep sea where visual cues are limited.
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Teeth: The mouth contains cone-shaped teeth, likely used to grasp slippery or soft-bodied prey.
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Gills: The gill openings are crescent-shaped, positioned behind the head, consistent with many species of the eel family.
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Tail Regeneration: Remarkably, most of the specimens showed evidence of regrown or regenerated tails, indicating either predator encounters or natural loss due to environmental factors. This regenerative trait is crucial for survival in the harsh and competitive deep-sea ecosystem.
Habitat and Depth Range
Smith’s witch eel is a deep-sea species found at depths between 850 to 1,500 feet (approximately 260 to 460 meters). These dark, cold, high-pressure environments are difficult to access, which explains why it remained undiscovered for so long. The eel likely inhabits the seafloor or burrows into soft sediments, navigating the pitch-black waters with the help of its sensory adaptations rather than sight.
Why This Discovery Matters
The finding of a new eel species is significant not just from a taxonomic standpoint but also from an ecological and biological one. Deep-sea ecosystems remain some of the least explored areas on Earth, and each new discovery like Facciolella smithi offers a chance to better understand the complexity and resilience of marine life.
Furthermore, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research has announced ongoing studies to analyze the nutritional composition of the eel. This research could unveil new opportunities in the fields of food science and pharmaceuticals, as deep-sea organisms are often found to contain unique biochemical compounds with medicinal properties.
Smith’s witch eel is more than just a new name in the scientific record, it represents the unexplored richness of our oceans. Its peculiar anatomy, regenerative capabilities, and deep-sea lifestyle open new avenues for research in marine biology, evolutionary studies, and environmental science. As technology advances and exploration continues, there is little doubt that the oceans will yield even more surprises, each one a testament to the marvels that still lie beneath the waves.
