ICAR–National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources (ICAR-NBFGR), Lucknow has recently announced the discovery of a new species of deep-sea eel from the Arabian Sea. The species, named Facciolella smithi, was found at depths between 260 to 460 meters off the coast of Kerala.
The newly discovered eel belongs to the family Nettastomatidae and is easily recognized by its slender form and a distinct duckbill-shaped snout. It has been named in honour of renowned American ichthyologist Dr. David G. Smith, known for his extensive work in eel taxonomy.
The identification of Facciolella smithi was confirmed through a combination of detailed morphological studies, radiographic imaging, and molecular analysis. The research was led by Dr. P. Kodeeswaran and Dr. T. T. Ajith Kumar and has been published in the peer-reviewed international journal Zootaxa.
Highlighting the significance of the discovery, ICAR-NBFGR Director Dr. Kajal Chakraborty said this marks the 16th new eel species identified by the institute in the last four years. He noted that the find emphasizes India’s rich deep-sea biodiversity and the growing importance of marine scientific exploration.
The institute has also begun nutritional profiling of the new species to evaluate its potential use in the food and pharmaceutical sectors. This step aims to assess whether the eel could have commercial value beyond its ecological significance.
