New Antarctic Fish Species Discovered By Accident

A team of Ukrainian researchers in Antarctica's Ross Sea accidentally discovered a new species of fish during a fishing trip.

The new species was discovered as by-catch from a scientific fishing expedition for Antarctic toothfish. The new fish species has some funky features including a descending mohawk of dorsal fins, irregularly blotchy brown skin and an odd protrusion from its lower lip called a barbel that looks like a dirty cotton swab.

The longest specimen found so far measured 14 inches.

The funky fish has the scientific name Pogonophryne neyelovi, but it's much easier to call it a hopbeard plunderfish

After catching three of the fish in 2009-2010, the researchers spent the next several years comparing and analyzing their finds with other known species before concluding the fish was indeed a new species. The hopbeard plunderfish is now the 22nd currently recognized species of its genus.

It can live in icy waters nearly a mile below the surface of the Ross Sea. Specimens were pulled from the water as deep as 4,560 feet (1,390 meters).

Other than a physical description, no other information is known about the fish. Their diet, behavior and habits remain unknown.

The new species description was published in the journal Zookeys.