In tropical and subtropical waters, between 200 and 500 feet deep, lies the reef twilight zone, or mesophotic coral ecosystem. Very little light penetrates these depths and the realm has long been a mystery to humans. But scientists like Luiz Rocha are shining a light on deep underwater life, and it's anything but dull. In 2022, Rocha and team identified this rainbow-colored fish in the Maldives, which they officially named Cirrhilabrus finifenmaa, or the <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fedition.cnn.com%2F2022%2F03%2F10%2Fworld%2Frose-fairy-wrasse-rainbow-fish-scn%2Findex.html" target="_blank">rose-veiled fairy wrasse</a>, after the island's national flower.
In tropical and subtropical waters, between 200 and 500 feet deep, lies the reef twilight zone, or mesophotic coral ecosystem. Very little light penetrates these depths and the realm has long been a mystery to humans. But scientists like Luiz Rocha are shining a light on deep underwater life, and it's anything but dull. In 2022, Rocha and team identified this rainbow-colored fish in the Maldives, which they officially named Cirrhilabrus finifenmaa, or the rose-veiled fairy wrasse, after the island's national flower.
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Rocha says he has discovered around 30 new species during his studies in the twilight zone, such as the Chromis bowesi (pictured) which he first collected in the Philippines in 2013. "Every dive we do to those depths is a new discovery," he says.
Rocha says he has discovered around 30 new species during his studies in the twilight zone, such as the Chromis bowesi (pictured) which he first collected in the Philippines in 2013. "Every dive we do to those depths is a new discovery," he says.
Luiz Rocha/ 2018 California Academy of Sciences
When studying a fish, Rocha and his team collect genetic samples, sequence its DNA and compare it to similar-looking fish. This way they can determine if it's a new species. The Liopropoma incandescens or incandescent basslet -- named after its vivid yellow-orange glow -- was first collected in Pohnpei, Micronesia in 2017 and officially recognized as a new species two years later.
When studying a fish, Rocha and his team collect genetic samples, sequence its DNA and compare it to similar-looking fish. This way they can determine if it's a new species. The Liopropoma incandescens or incandescent basslet -- named after its vivid yellow-orange glow -- was first collected in Pohnpei, Micronesia in 2017 and officially recognized as a new species two years later.
Luiz Rocha/ 2018 California Academy of Sciences
In the same year, Rocha discovered another orange fish in Rapa Nui (Chile's Easter Island) naming it Luzonichthys kiomeamea, as kiomeamea means "red fish that takes refuge in a cave" in the Rapa Nui language. It is more commonly referred to as the Rapa Nui splitfin.
In the same year, Rocha discovered another orange fish in Rapa Nui (Chile's Easter Island) naming it Luzonichthys kiomeamea, as kiomeamea means "red fish that takes refuge in a cave" in the Rapa Nui language. It is more commonly referred to as the Rapa Nui splitfin.
Luiz Rocha/ 2018 California Academy of Sciences
By giving newly-discovered fish species local names, Rocha hopes to engage local communities in conservation. He also works closely with local scientists during the research. This fish, discovered in Rapa Nui, is called the Chromis mamatapara, which derives from from the island's word for "yellow damselfish." Its common name is Michel's Chromis, in honor of Michel Garcia, a researcher who assisted with fieldwork on the expedition, but died in May 2018.
By giving newly-discovered fish species local names, Rocha hopes to engage local communities in conservation. He also works closely with local scientists during the research. This fish, discovered in Rapa Nui, is called the Chromis mamatapara, which derives from from the island's word for "yellow damselfish." Its common name is Michel's Chromis, in honor of Michel Garcia, a researcher who assisted with fieldwork on the expedition, but died in May 2018.
Luiz Rocha/ 2020 California Academy of Sciences
Officially recognized as a new species in 2019, the Cirrhilabrus wakanda -- found in Zanzibar and more commonly known as the vibranium fairy wrasse -- was named after the fictional East African nation of Wakanda, home of the superhero Black Panther. Vibranium refers to the rare metal that is woven into Black Panther's suit, which Rocha and his team thought the purple, chain-link scale pattern on the new species resembled.
Officially recognized as a new species in 2019, the Cirrhilabrus wakanda -- found in Zanzibar and more commonly known as the vibranium fairy wrasse -- was named after the fictional East African nation of Wakanda, home of the superhero Black Panther. Vibranium refers to the rare metal that is woven into Black Panther's suit, which Rocha and his team thought the purple, chain-link scale pattern on the new species resembled.
Luiz Rocha/ 2018 California Academy of Sciences
The stripy fluorescent Tosanoides aphrodite, commonly known as Aphrodite Anthias, was discovered at St. Paul's Rocks in Brazil in 2017. Rocha and his colleague Hudson Pinheiro named it after the ancient Greek goddess of love and beauty because they were so enchanted by the exquisite species. While capturing the fish they failed to spot a huge shark circling above -- filmed by another member of the team in this <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DpSZrmoEwR0Q" target="_blank" target="_blank">video</a>.
The stripy fluorescent Tosanoides aphrodite, commonly known as Aphrodite Anthias, was discovered at St. Paul's Rocks in Brazil in 2017. Rocha and his colleague Hudson Pinheiro named it after the ancient Greek goddess of love and beauty because they were so enchanted by the exquisite species. While capturing the fish they failed to spot a huge shark circling above -- filmed by another member of the team in this video.
Luiz Rocha/ 2018 California Academy of Sciences
The Plectranthias ahiahiata, or sunset perchlet, was found in Rapa Nui in 2017. Its name comes from the Rapa Nui phrase "ahiahi-ata" meaning "the last moments of light before nightfall," as the rich orange color reminded researchers of the island's beautiful sunsets.
The Plectranthias ahiahiata, or sunset perchlet, was found in Rapa Nui in 2017. Its name comes from the Rapa Nui phrase "ahiahi-ata" meaning "the last moments of light before nightfall," as the rich orange color reminded researchers of the island's beautiful sunsets.
Luiz Rocha/ 2017 California Academy of Sciences
The Roa rumsfeldi or deep-blackfin butterflyfish was found in the Philippines in 2015. It was named in honor of American politician Donald Rumsfeld who once said: "there are known knowns; there are things we know we know. We also know there are known unknowns; that is to say we know there are some things we do not know. But there are also unknown unknowns -- the ones we don't know we don't know." Rocha and his team thought the butterflyfish was a perfect example of an unknown unknown.
The Roa rumsfeldi or deep-blackfin butterflyfish was found in the Philippines in 2015. It was named in honor of American politician Donald Rumsfeld who once said: "there are known knowns; there are things we know we know. We also know there are known unknowns; that is to say we know there are some things we do not know. But there are also unknown unknowns -- the ones we don't know we don't know." Rocha and his team thought the butterflyfish was a perfect example of an unknown unknown.
Luiz Rocha/ 2017 California Academy of Sciences
The Plectranthias polygonius, or polygon perchlet, found in the tropical Central Pacific in 2019 was named for the orange rhombus shapes on its midline that distinguish it from other perchlets. Rocha loves studying the twilight zone because of the thrill of discovery. "Some of my most exciting discoveries are the new species," he says. "I love natural history, I love naming things."
The Plectranthias polygonius, or polygon perchlet, found in the tropical Central Pacific in 2019 was named for the orange rhombus shapes on its midline that distinguish it from other perchlets. Rocha loves studying the twilight zone because of the thrill of discovery. "Some of my most exciting discoveries are the new species," he says. "I love natural history, I love naming things."
Luiz Rocha/ 2020 California Academy of Sciences