VietNamNet Bridge – The Fauna and Flora International (FFI) has discovered a new species of loach on a small island in Ha Long Bay, Vietnam.




The new species has scientific name as Draconectes narinosus. It was founded on the island of Van Gio, a small island with the widest part of only 400m.

The finding is the result of a group of FFI scientists since 2002 when they made a large-scale survey of biodiversity in Ha Long Bay.

According to information on FFI website, the new species of fish has no eyes and no scales. The features help them adapt to the living environment in the dark and deep in limestone caves.

The species is suitable for fresh water. Scientists believe that they may be an endemic species of Van Gio Island. However, experts continue to search for them in the neighboring islands. They also hope that D.narinosus is not the only surviving loach species in its family.

Compiled by Nam Nguyen