At a Glance
- A new species of fish, known as the black dwarfgoby or Eviota vader, has been officially described by researchers after its discovery in Papua New Guinea’s Tufi region.
- This tiny dwarfgoby is distinguished by its unique and uniform purplish-black coloration, a trait not found on any other known species within its diverse genus of over 130 fish.
- The species earned its scientific name, Eviota vader, as a direct reference to the dark appearance of the iconic cinematic villain Darth Vader from the “Star Wars” franchise.
- Beyond its color, the fish is identified by a complete cephalic sensory-pore system, a specific fin-ray formula, and the absence of common occipital or fin-base spots.
- Because only a single specimen was found in a coral bommie, scientists emphasize that more exploration is necessary to determine the new species’ true geographic range and population size.
In the remote volcanic fjords of Papua New Guinea, researchers have identified a new species of fish with a uniquely dark appearance, earning it a name inspired by a famous cinematic villain. The discovery of Eviota vader, also known as the black dwarfgoby, was detailed in a study published in the Journal of the Ocean Science Foundation. The fish was found in McLaren Fjord, part of the Tufi region, which is known for harboring microendemic species — plants and animals found exclusively in a small geographic area.
The new species is a type of dwarfgoby, a group of more than 130 tiny fish species known for their diverse and vibrant appearances. However, the black dwarfgoby stands apart with its “distinctive purplish-black coloration,” a trait not seen in any other known dwarfgoby. The only specimen found, measuring just under half an inch in length, was observed to have large yellow eyes, perched inside a small burrow at the top of a massive coral formation known as a bommie. Researchers discovered the lone fish at a depth of about 13 feet and were unable to locate any others.
Scientists confirmed Eviota vader as a new species using a combination of diagnostic features beyond its striking color. These characteristics include a complete cephalic sensory-canal pore system — a network of pores on the head that helps the fish detect movement and pressure changes in the water. Other key identifiers include its specific fin structure, characterized by an 8/7 dorsal-to-anal fin-ray formula, and the presence of a tiny, fifth pelvic-fin ray. Unlike many related species, it also lacks the dark spots on its head or at the base of its fins that are common in the genus.
The research team named the species for its dark, uniform coloration, with the epithet vader referencing the iconic “Star Wars” character Darth Vader. Because only a single individual has been documented, the scientists emphasize that further exploration is crucial. Additional fieldwork is needed to determine the actual population size and geographic range of this mysterious new fish, as well as to confirm whether it is truly another microendemic treasure of the Tufi region.
References
- Greenfield, D., Erdmann, M., & Ishida, N. (2025). Eviota vader, a new western Pacific dwarfgoby from Papua New Guinea (Teleostei: Gobiidae). https://doi.org/10.5281/ZENODO.15786577
- Liebhaber, L. (2025, July 8). Purplish creature found in volcanic fjord is new species named after Darth Vader. Phys.Org; Phys.org. https://phys.org/news/2025-07-purplish-creature-volcanic-fjord-species.html
