HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WDNews) — According to Axios Huntsville and This Is Alabama, researchers have identified a previously unknown species of cavefish living in Bobcat Cave at Redstone Arsenal, marking the discovery of both a new species and a new genus of cavefish.
The fish, scientifically named Demogorgonichthys arcanus and commonly called the “demon cavefish,” was discovered during ongoing biological monitoring in the cave system. Researchers said the species has adapted to life in complete darkness and is distinct from the Southern cavefish, despite the two species sharing the same cave.
According to the reports, researchers first noticed the fish in February 2025 after photographing it during routine monitoring of the federally endangered Alabama cave shrimp. When the images were later reviewed, scientists recognized differences in the fish’s head shape and fin rays, prompting further research that confirmed it was an entirely new species.
Researchers said the scientific name was inspired by the demogorgon from Greek mythology, which also inspired the creature featured in Netflix’s Stranger Things. The species name arcanus is Latin for “hidden,” reflecting the fish’s underground habitat.
The discovery is considered unusual because two separate cavefish species, both regarded as top predators in their underground ecosystem, coexist within the same small cave.
Scientists say the cave system is relatively well protected but remains vulnerable to groundwater runoff from the surface, highlighting the importance of continued conservation efforts.
