Lost Fish Found: 40-Year Mystery Solved

A freshwater fish, the spinach pipefish, presumed lost since 1985, has been rediscovered in Papua New Guinea's Sepik River. Indigenous fisherwoman Helen Asu's catch of two specimens in June 2026, using a traditional hand net, led to their scientific confirmation.

This rediscovery is significant as the spinach pipefish, Microphis spinachioides, is endemic to the Sepik River and poorly understood. Its absence from scientific records for nearly four decades created a gap in understanding the region's freshwater ecosystems. The fish is known for its camouflage and habitat along riverbanks.

The expedition team had been searching for the fish, showing pictures to local communities. Asu's discovery on the final day of their two-week search proved vital. Researchers like Jerrica Agebigo, alongside ichthyologist Gerald Allen, confirmed the finding.

This event highlights the synergy between scientific research and traditional ecological knowledge. Local communities, particularly women who fish near vegetated riverbanks, possessed crucial insights into the fish's whereabouts that scientific records lacked. Various local names exist, such as karuweng and lon nus.

Scientists now have initial clues about the spinach pipefish's preferred habitat along vegetated river margins. This rediscovery offers hope for other 'lost' freshwater species and underscores the ongoing threats from habitat degradation, pollution, and invasive species.

Future research will likely combine field surveys, local knowledge, and eDNA technology to learn more about the species' range, reproduction, and population health. The two pipefish caught by Asu have restored a piece of Papua New Guinea's biodiversity record, providing a new opportunity for understanding and protection.