Beneath the depths of the northern Great Barrier Reef, a vivid burst of neon colors dances amidst the crevices of coral rubble. Scientists, while studying the diminutive Paracheilinus fish, stumbled upon this captivating creature within the Harrier Reef. This serendipitous encounter unveiled a novel species, christened Amanda’s Flasher Wasser, scientifically known as Paracheilinus amanda. Their findings were recently published on September 14 in the journal Ichthyology & Herpetology.
Paracheilinus, renowned for their vibrant and exuberant hues, are characterized by their breathtaking courtship rituals. During these displays, males momentarily “flash” iridescent shades, engage in rapid swimming, and proudly display an erect fin. The newfound Paracheilinus species boasts an orange to orange-brown head and body adorned with distinctive bands and stripes, ranging from purplish blue to brilliant neon blue. Their strikingly bright orange irises are encircled by a vivid yellow ring, while their fins exhibit a captivating translucence, featuring shades of yellow, red, and brilliant blue.
According to researchers, male Paracheilinus amanda specimens measure between approximately 1.47 to 1.87 inches in length, while a female specimen recorded a length of about 1.27 inches. The species was named in honor of Amanda Hay, the ichthyology collections manager at the Australian Museum in Sydney.
Typically, Paracheilinus amanda inhabits deep rubble pans, which are collections of deceased coral. These fish are primarily found in the Harrier Reef within the northern Great Barrier Reefs, but have also been spotted in the Flora, Holmes, and Osprey reefs in the Coral Sea. Additionally, they have been collected in the southern regions of Papua New Guinea.
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