Vibrant fish found in pond as it dried up and 3 other new species discoveries

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Unique creatures, odd animals and new species are being discovered across the planet. Some are found lurking in remote corners of the world, while others have been hiding right under our noses.

Learn more about some recent new species discoveries:

‘Rainbow’ creature with yellow eyes found in temporary pond. It’s a new species

In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, scientists discovered a new species of killifish named Nothobranchius iridescens, or the rainbow seasonal killifish, in a temporary pond. This medium-sized fish, with males displaying vibrant rainbow colors and large yellow eyes, was found in ephemeral pools on floodplains. | Published July 2 | Read More |

‘Large’ creature seen running ‘rapidly’ on rocks in Angola. It’s a new species

In the coastal regions of southwestern Angola, researchers identified a new species of gecko called Rhoptropus megocellus, or the large-spotted Namib day gecko. These geckos, found on large granitic boulders, are notable for their large size and distinctive spotted patterns. | Published July 3 | Read More |

‘Large’-eyed creature with ‘gem’-like pattern found in pond. It’s a new species

A new species of fish, Lacustricola gemma, or the gem lampeye fish, was discovered in a shrinking pond in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This small fish is recognized by its iridescent scales and large silver eyes, resembling tiny gems. | Published July 7 | Read More |

Trawlers catch deep-sea creature with regrown tail off India. It’s a new species

In the Arabian Sea off the coast of India, a new species of eel named Facciolella smithi, or Smith’s witch eel, was discovered by commercial trawlers. These deep-sea dwellers are characterized by their elongated bodies and regrown tails. | Published July 1 | Read More |

‘Large’ camouflaged creature found on Angola rocks. It’s a ‘cryptic’ new species

In the savannas of southwestern Angola, researchers found a new species of gecko known as Rhoptropus crypticus, or the cryptic Namib day gecko. These “large,” camouflaged lizards were discovered among boulders in a restricted area. | Published July 4 | Read More |

This story was originally published July 11, 2025 at 9:00 AM with the headline "Vibrant fish found in pond as it dried up and 3 other new species discoveries."