Polyipnus Laruei

New fish species named in New Caledonia

In July 2014, Pierre and William Larue went boating at Tombo Reef, just outside Noumea, when they happened upon a small silver fish, about 5cm long, with googly eyes that spread across much of its body.

It looked out of place, so the pair took pictures and collected the fish, and it eventually arrived at the Pacific Community's marine lab in Noumea, where it was studied by Elodie Vourey.

A senior fisheries scientist at the lab, Valerie Allain, says after detailed study, scientists have this month concluded the fish is a new species: Polyipnus Laruei.