New Blind Fish Discovered in Cave Under Alabama Arsenal
Researchers have found a new species of blind fish, named Demogorgonichthys arcanus, in a cave beneath the Redstone Arsenal in Alabama, inspired by the Demogorgons from the series "Stranger Things." This species may be one of the rarest fish in the world.
The cave has been studied for decades, home to the endangered Alabama cave shrimp, and scientists have monitored water quality and ecosystem health since 1990.
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The first sighting of this unusual fish was made by biologist Matthew Nimiller in early 2025. A follow-up expedition confirmed that nearly half of the fish observed in this part of the cave belong to the new species. Genetic analysis showed that Demogorgonichthys arcanus does not fit into any known groups of cave fish.
Notably, mutations in the rhodopsin gene, essential for low-light vision, have occurred. In this new species, the gene has ceased to function differently than in the nearby cave fish Typhlichthys subterraneus.
The cave's condition raises concerns, as large quantities of chemical weapons were buried on the arsenal's grounds after World War II, and elevated levels of trace metals have already been found in the cave water. This may be the only habitat for Demogorgonichthys arcanus.
