Newly discovered ‘demon cave fish’ hid out in Alabama military installation for 40 years

In northern Alabama, scientists have discovered a new species of eyeless cave fish that has evaded detection for four decades. The creature, called Demogorgonichthys arcanus, was found in Bobcat Cave, a limestone network within a restricted military installation. The cave, known for housing the endangered Alabama cave shrimp, is a challenging environment for human exploration, with water levels often reaching neck-deep depths.

However, regular monitoring teams have ventured into the cave nearly every month since the early 1990s. The discovery of the demon cave fish was made by chance during a routine survey in February 2025 when cave biologist Matthew L. Niemiller, from the University of Alabama in Huntsville, stumbled upon the creature while falling into a deep pool.

Genetic analyses indicate that the demon cave fish and the previously known Southern cave fish are not closely related, suggesting that both species lost their vision due to different mutations. The study authors named the new species after the Demogorgon from the Netflix series Stranger Things, a nod to the cave's enigmatic nature.

This discovery highlights the vast biodiversity still undocumented, even in the most explored caves, emphasizing the importance of continued research and exploration.