Liopropoma incandescens is the newest basslet from a depth of 130 m, at the deep coral ecosystem of Pohnpei, Micronesia. With the new species, the total in the genus becomes 31. 130 m is way beyond the depth of normal recreational diving and is only possible through mixed-gas, closed-circuit rebreather equipment. The fish was collected with a hand net and brought up in a SubCAS submersible fish decompression chamber.
The new species Liopropoma incandescens as described stands apart from the other described species in the genus based on the color gradient from yellow to orange and the two black spots on the upper and lower caudal fin lobes are unique. Comparing with the two black spots on the caudal fin is with Candy basslet (Liopropoma carmabi) but that has alternating orange and pink horizontal lines.
Liopropoma incandescens, 54.15 mm, collected at a depth of 130 m off Ant Atoll, Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia. Photographs by L. A. Rocha and J. Fong.
Liopropoma incandescens has cryptic behaviour and was discovered in a small rocky crevice along a steep limestone coral reef drop-off. As much as I want this to keep this fish it is quite difficult to source them from that depth.
There is more in-depth about the new Liopropoma at Zookeys.
Like always it's my day one in the hobby. Always been a hobbyist but never knew would dive so deep in the hobby. I too started with a freshwater aquarium. When I first started saltwater aquarium it just grew on me and I knew that had to do more in this hobby. I am a Post-Grad in Business Administration have worked with Coldstar Logistics, Amazon and Jindal's before jumping completely in the ocean. Other than aquarium hobby I have my interests in travel, digital games and consumer web technology.
This is amazing as a saltwater aquarist, I have always be profoundly amazed at the diversity in reefs. I’m going to Micronesia soon to work and dive in truk lagoon I am blessed to be around such amazing tropical fish. Don’t think I’ll be going anywhere near those depths but I’m stoked to even get the chance to be around them. I would love to know more about how you achieved the retrieving of this species. Amazing work!
This is amazing as a saltwater aquarist, I have always be profoundly amazed at the diversity in reefs. I’m going to Micronesia soon to work and dive in truk lagoon I am blessed to be around such amazing tropical fish. Don’t think I’ll be going anywhere near those depths but I’m stoked to even get the chance to be around them. I would love to know more about how you achieved the retrieving of this species. Amazing work!