SPECIES: Milyeringa justitia — Barrow Cave Gudgeon
CLASSIFICATION: Endangered
Meet one of Australia’s rarest and most specialised fish, the Barrow Cave Gudgeon. Found only in the submerged limestone caves beneath Barrow Island off Western Australia, this endangered species has no eyes, no pigment, and lives its entire life in total darkness. Adapted to its subterranean world, the Barrow Cave Gudgeon uses sensory pores along its head and body to detect vibrations and navigate. It’s believed to feed on small aquatic invertebrates and microbes found in its fragile groundwater habitat.
With an extremely limited range and a dependence on clean, undisturbed cave systems, the species is highly vulnerable to groundwater pollution, habitat disruption, and climate change. Its discovery in 2013 was a stark reminder of how much unique biodiversity lies hidden - and how quickly it can be lost without protection.
Photo: Gunther Schmida