Story perspectives

New Eyeless “Demon Cavefish” Discovered in Alabama Cave

7/24/2026

Summary

Story summary

Matthew Niemeller discovered a pale, eyeless fish in Bobcat Cave at Redstone Arsenal in February 2025.
Jonathan Armbruster and Pamela Hart assigned the name Demogorgonichthys arcanus, the “Demon Cavefish.”
CT scans and genetic testing revealed a unique shape, unbranched fin rays, a rhodopsin-gene deletion, no coloration and a head hump.
Scientific Reports published the discovery on 6 July, leading the team to use environmental DNA to assess the species’ range and population.

1 of 1

Story summary

Matthew Niemeller discovered a pale, eyeless fish in Bobcat Cave at Redstone Arsenal in February 2025.
Jonathan Armbruster and Pamela Hart assigned the name Demogorgonichthys arcanus, the “Demon Cavefish.”
CT scans and genetic testing revealed a unique shape, unbranched fin rays, a rhodopsin-gene deletion, no coloration and a head hump.
Scientific Reports published the discovery on 6 July, leading the team to use environmental DNA to assess the species’ range and population.