Scientists from India and the United Kingdom have discovered a new species of fish from Kerala. The snake-headed fish found in the paddy fields of Kerala has been named Gollum after J.R.R. Tolkien's fictional character from Lord of The Rings. The scientific name of the species is 'Aenigmachanna Gollum'. The fish is about 9.2 cms in length and caught the attention of scientists after a fish enthusiast named Mohammed Ajeer, posted its picture on Facebook. As described by the researchers it is the first snakehead fish that has been described as living underground. The findings have been published in the journal Zootaxa. Deep-Sea Snailfish That Melts on Surface Discovered by Scientists in Atacama Trench, Watch Video.

Snakeheads are actually native to Africa and Asia. Their specific feature is their long dorsal fins, large mouths and has a gill cavity which helps it to breathe. Rajeev Raghavan, Assistant Professor at Kochi’s Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS), a part of the research team was quoted to TNM and he said the fish was discovered in the paddy fields of Vengara in Malappuram. He mentioned it could be because of the massive floods that Kerala experienced in August last year. The team conducted research on two specimens they got from Mohammed Ajeer, who had uploaded the pictures on Facebook. Fish With Pigeon Head Found in China, Watch Video of The Weird Looking Mutant Species!

Check Picture of Newly Discovered Fish Gollum:

The snakehead fishes are usually found in freshwater rivers or wetlands, so this discovery is particularly exciting, given its new habitat underground. What makes the Gollum different from the other snakehead fish is the long and eel-like body with numerous scales along its body. It has a very long anal fin which runs along its belly and tail so it can maintain buoyancy in the water column. As the statement by Natural History Museum (NHM) mentions, "It is possible that some of these aspects could be adaptations to their underground existence."

The researchers are also speculating a hidden ecosystem existing over 40 metres below the surface. Because the Gollum is the eighth subterranean fish that has been discovered from the aquifers beneath Kerala.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 14, 2019 04:15 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).