Rare Fish Spotted Off Western Australia's Coast After 14-Year Drought
In a thrilling underwater encounter, marine biologist Océane Attlan recently caught sight of the enigmatic Braun's wrasse, a fish thought to be extinct since its last recorded sighting in 2009. The tiny, iridescent creature, measuring between six and seven centimeters in length, was found hiding amongst kelp forests off Western Australia's southern coast.
Attlan's excitement was palpable as she recognized the elusive fish, recalling a familiar yet unnameable feeling similar to seeing a long-lost friend. Her team had embarked on a four-day expedition to survey kelp forests, a task that seemed "almost fanciful" given the rarity of spotting such an iconic species.
The sighting marked a significant find for researchers at the University of Western Australia's Oceans Institute and allayed fears of the Braun's wrasse going extinct amid recent marine heatwaves. The discovery also underscores the vast, largely unexplored nature of our underwater world, with hundreds of new species described globally each year.
Professor Culum Brown from Macquarie University, who was not involved in the survey, noted that spending time underwater increases one's chances of encountering a previously undiscovered species due to the vastness of our knowledge about marine ecosystems. The finding may well spark interest among divers and researchers alike, as they embark on their own quests to uncover the secrets hidden beneath the waves.
The Braun's wrasse boasts an extremely limited geographic range, with its habitat situated within the Great Southern Reef – a colossal ecosystem stretching along Australia's southern coastline from Kalbarri in Western Australia to New South Wales. This region is home to numerous endemic species that can be found nowhere else on Earth, making it an invaluable yet fragile environment.
In a thrilling underwater encounter, marine biologist Océane Attlan recently caught sight of the enigmatic Braun's wrasse, a fish thought to be extinct since its last recorded sighting in 2009. The tiny, iridescent creature, measuring between six and seven centimeters in length, was found hiding amongst kelp forests off Western Australia's southern coast.
Attlan's excitement was palpable as she recognized the elusive fish, recalling a familiar yet unnameable feeling similar to seeing a long-lost friend. Her team had embarked on a four-day expedition to survey kelp forests, a task that seemed "almost fanciful" given the rarity of spotting such an iconic species.
The sighting marked a significant find for researchers at the University of Western Australia's Oceans Institute and allayed fears of the Braun's wrasse going extinct amid recent marine heatwaves. The discovery also underscores the vast, largely unexplored nature of our underwater world, with hundreds of new species described globally each year.
Professor Culum Brown from Macquarie University, who was not involved in the survey, noted that spending time underwater increases one's chances of encountering a previously undiscovered species due to the vastness of our knowledge about marine ecosystems. The finding may well spark interest among divers and researchers alike, as they embark on their own quests to uncover the secrets hidden beneath the waves.
The Braun's wrasse boasts an extremely limited geographic range, with its habitat situated within the Great Southern Reef – a colossal ecosystem stretching along Australia's southern coastline from Kalbarri in Western Australia to New South Wales. This region is home to numerous endemic species that can be found nowhere else on Earth, making it an invaluable yet fragile environment.
they must've been searching forever and then BAM! Braun's wrasse right under their noses 
it's amazing how much we still have to learn about our oceans and the creatures that call them home 
I'm like totally stoked for Océane Attlan and her team! They were literally on the verge of giving up hope after 14 whole years without spotting a Braun's wrasse 
I mean, the Great Southern Reef alone is like a treasure trove of unique ecosystems and creatures 
. It's not just about conservation; it's also about exploration and discovery! 
! Can you believe it's been 14 years since we last saw one of these tiny fish? It just goes to show how much more we have to learn about our oceans and the creatures that live in them 
. The kelp forests off Western Australia's coast are like, whoa - so much biodiversity packed into this one ecosystem! 
i mean who even knew this fish was still out there?! sounds like a real-life underwater treasure hunt to me! gotta give it up for marine biologist Océane Attlan and her team for keeping the dream alive 
Braun's wrasse thought 2 b extinct but was actually hiding in kelp forests off WA coast 
I mean, 14 yrs since its last sighting & now its spotted again off W Austs coast 
. I'm all about marine biology & stuff 
. So glad 2 hear its not extinct after all 
. Professor Brown is right tho - there's still so much we dont know abt our oceans & new species r being discovered every year 
! catching a glimpse of Braun's wrasse after 14 years is like finding the holy grail of marine biologists 
It's like, mind blown, you know? And that marine biologist Océane Attlan is just SOOOO lucky to have seen it with her own eyes 
. I mean, can't even imagine what she was thinking when she saw this tiny, iridescent creature hiding amongst the kelp forests... like, totally magical stuff! 
And now researchers are all like "Hey, we still got a lot to learn about our ocean world" 
I mean, what are the chances? And don't even get me started on how "exciting" it must've been for her to spot it. Like, isn't she just getting paid to do this or something? 
I mean, I'm glad someone finally spotted the Braun's wrasse after all these years, but can't we just get some decent waterproof cameras for our netizen gear? The one they used must've been super crappy to not capture a clear pic of this rare fish. And what's with the whole 'recalling a familiar yet unnameable feeling' thing? It's just a fish, mate! 
. I'm all for protecting these kinds of habitats and preserving our marine biodiversity 
, like, whoa! And the fact that researchers are still discovering new species globally every yr? Mind blown